Idaho Task Force on Public Transportation

1. Idaho Task Force on Public Transportation Summary Report February 2004 Subcommittee on Public Transportation Funding

2. Formation of the Task Force • 15-member statewide steering committee • Formed in 2003 • Collaborative effort organized by: • Association of Idaho Cities • Idaho Association of Counties • Idaho Association of Chambers of Commerce • Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization • Idaho Association of Highway Districts • Idaho Transportation Department Subcommittee on Public Transportation Funding

3. Task Force Responsibilities • Members included government, providers, and business leaders from all regions of the state • Public transportation expenditures • Inventory of services • Identify transportation links • Options for coordination • Recommend legislative changes Subcommittee on Public Transportation Funding

4. History of Legislation • 1991 – Interim Committee • 1992 – Section 40-514 of Idaho Code • Interagency Working Group • Public Transportation Advisory Council • 1994 and 1995– Section 21, Chapter 40 of Idaho Code • Provided for formation of Regional Public Transportation Authorities Subcommittee on Public Transportation Funding

5. Data Collection Process • Survey of transit services provided around the state • District focus groups • Summary of myths about public transportation • Recommended funding options to consider Subcommittee on Public Transportation Funding

6. Personal Property Tax Assessed Value • Tax based on age and value of vehicle • Value goes down as vehicle ages • Based on local option vote by region Subcommittee on Public Transportation Funding

7. Title Transfer Fee • Impose an additional fee on every title transfer • Could not raise enough as a stand alone option • Could be used to supplement other options and cover planning and administration in small rural systems Subcommittee on Public Transportation Funding

8. Local Option Sales Tax • Imposes a percentage rate in addition to state tax with local jurisdiction • Requires vote by city or county • Raises adequate revenue urban areas to meet need Subcommittee on Public Transportation Funding

9. Personal Property Tax on Vehicles (fixed-rate) • Provides for a flat rate per vehicle • Proposed to legislature and passed house in 1997 • Constitutionality would have to be researched Subcommittee on Public Transportation Funding

10. Gasoline Tax • Prohibited by Idaho Constitutionfor use other than roads and some police functions • Could provide adequate funding to meet need Subcommittee on Public Transportation Funding

11. Vehicle Registration Fee • Prohibited by Idaho Constitution for use other than roads and some police functions • Could provide adequate funding to meet need Subcommittee on Public Transportation Funding

12. Personal Income Tax • Geographically restricted income tax surcharge • May have constitutional restrictions • Based on estimating county share using population by per capita income weighting factor Subcommittee on Public Transportation Funding

13. Employment Tax • Paid by employers based on number of employees • Not a tax currently found in Idaho Subcommittee on Public Transportation Funding

14. Other Sources • Real property tax • Each jurisdiction sets levy • No Statutory limitation on use for PT • Impact fees • Pay for one-time infrastructure • Could not be used for operating expenses • Local option excise • Imposed on beer, wine and alcohol • Amounts generated too low to be viable Subcommittee on Public Transportation Funding

15. 2004 Task Force Recommendations • Improve education and outreach on available services • Provide incentives to use public transportation • There is solid support for public transportation • There is support for local funding options • Personal property tax on vehicles – assessed value • Local option sales tax • Title transfer fee Subcommittee on Public Transportation Funding