Questions and Answers

Q: What has been done to stretch existing revenues?

A: State: In recent years, the Iowa DOT has reorganized, reduced forces, consolidated facilities, and taken other actions to increase efficiency and reduce administrative costs. Since Iowa DOT administrative costs are funded by the Road Use Tax Fund, savings in this area leaves more money available for highway improvements. From FY 1996 through FY 2007, the Iowa DOT eliminated 555 full-time positions, a 14 percent decrease. The Iowa DOT was able to reduce the number of resident construction offices, and maintenance offices and garages. This was done by reducing management layers, consolidating functions of field workers and refocusing on services that are most important to the public. The combined changes reduced the Iowa DOT's operational costs by $35 million annually, making that funding available for road construction.

City and county: Cities and counties report similar efforts to increase efficiency and reduce administrative costs. This includes the sharing of county engineers and a reduction in staff.

Cooperative efforts: An ad hoc group of officials representing the Iowa DOT, cities and counties met throughout 2002 to study Iowa's public roadway system and identify actions to increase efficient operations. The group made several recommendations that were subsequently drafted as legislation and adopted by the legislature in 2003, including the transfer of jurisdiction of 712 miles of primary highway to local jurisdictions. This, and other legislative changes, allowed for more efficient maintenance of the entire system.