2010-252A (03) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element Transportation Costs and Revenues In any plan, it is important to identify the financial resources necessary for plan implementation. Because of the transportation system's importance for development of the county, it is even more important to identify the financial resources available for transportation system improvements. Besides the information incorporated within this section, detailed financial data applicable to all elements of the comprehensive plan are provided in the capital improvements element. With respect to transportation, there are various funding sources whose revenues are earmarked for transportation system improvements. In Florida, conventional transportation funding comes from a system of taxes and fees imposed by federal, state, and local governments. With the exception of some discretionary federal grant programs, the distribution of transportation funds is primarily governed by federal and state statutory formulas. For highway construction and maintenance, the primary sources of funding are motor fuel taxes, motor vehicle fees and other automobile related "user fees." In Florida, both the federal and state governments tax gasoline. Gasoline taxes are also collected by the State of Florida on behalf of local governments, either as determined by State legislation or through optional taxes legislated at the local government level. In addition to those taxes and fees, Indian River County collects a traffic impact fee from new development. • Federal Gasoline Tax The federal tax on highway fuels is currently 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and gasohol and 24.1 cents per gallon on diesel. Currently, 2.86 cents is designated for the mass transit account of the Federal Highway Trust Fund. Federal fuel taxes are deposited in the Federal Highway Trust Fund and distributed by the Federal Highway Administration to each state through a system of formula grants and discretionary allocations. In Florida, federal highway funds are distributed by FDOT first for highway and bridge construction, with the remainder distributed to eight FDOT districts using a formula based on population, gas tax collections in each district, and needs assessments. • State Motor Fuel Taxes Highway fuel taxes constitute the oldest continuous source of dedicated transportation revenues in the state. These state fuel taxes can be categorized as "retained," those that are collected by the State for State use, and "shared," those that are distributed to counties and municipalities. The retained state fuel sales tax is currently 12.1 cents per gallon. Shared gasoline taxes include the State Constitutional Gas Tax (2 cents/gallon), the County Gas Tax (1 cent/gallon), and the Municipal Gas Tax (1 cent/gallon). The State Comprehensive Enhanced Transportation System (SCETS) Tax is collected and used by the State, but must be used in the district where it was generated. The SCETS is currently 6.7 cents per gallon. Community Development Department Indian River County 46