Create an adequate and permanent funding stream for local infrastructure.
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Infrastructure – including roads, water, sewer, stormwater, parks and beaches – is critical to economic development and job creation.
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Many cities in the state are growing, creating a constant need for investment to keep pace with population growth; many cities and towns also have aging infrastructure that must be replaced.
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Creating more permanent funding streams for local infrastructure, such as a dedicated tax source, would allow for better planning to meet needs.
Expand state transportation funding streams for construction and maintenance for municipal and state-owned secondary roads.
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Current Powell Bill and other state funding is not adequate to address transportation needs, particularly as they affect municipal and state-owned secondary roads.
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In many cities and towns, major commuting corridors are not receiving the level of investment needed to keep pace with traffic.
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More investment is needed for these roads if existing residents are to embrace business and residential growth.
Allow municipalities to use local resources and capabilities to expand broadband access in their communities through innovative partnerships.
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Slow and unreliable internet service threatens educational and professional opportunities, and the economic future of entire communities.
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Municipalities own existing infrastructure – including dark fiber, towers and electric poles – that could be utilized in innovative partnerships and assist in making broadband service more affordable.
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Failure to utilize local government assistance and assets will continue to create digital gaps that have real-world consequences for North Carolinians.
Expand incentives that encourage regionalization of water and sewer, as well as other municipal services, when appropriate.
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A number of municipal water and sewer systems continue to financially struggle with deferred maintenance needs.
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These challenges came about largely due to population and job losses in rural areas, leading to an erosion of taxpayer and ratepayer bases.
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While legislators and municipalities have begun to address these issues with the creation of the Viable Utility Reserve and the use of ARPA funding, state estimates show needs still exceed expenditures by several billion dollars.
Legislative Bill Links:
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HB 259 Appropriations Act: This legislation, coming first from the House, is the state budget bill. The $29.8 billion spending plan includes $1 billion for roads and transportation, along with $1 billion for water and sewer infrastructure across the state.
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HB 511 Enhance Urban Stormwater Management: This bill specifies that some property owners may be required to install new or increased stormwater controls when a pre-existing development is redeveloped.
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SB 354 NC TEN: Increases registration fees for electric vehicles and removes a cap on highway use taxes for commercial and recreational vehicles, with the money benefiting transportation funding.
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SB 673 Wastewater Regulatory Relief Act: Clarifies language related to system development fees to ensure that local utilities can impose fees that recoup costs to serve new development.
