10771 Advocacy Success for Public Works at the State and Local … · 2016-08-18 · APWA 2016 PWX...
Transcript of 10771 Advocacy Success for Public Works at the State and Local … · 2016-08-18 · APWA 2016 PWX...
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Stan Brown, PE, PWLFCity Manager
City of Oakwood, GA
Purpose
Public works agencies in small cities and rural communities often face challenges building support at the local and state level for critical public works services and projects that are often taken for granted.
This session will share the results of successful advocacy efforts, proven advocacy strategies, and lessons learned for engaging local and state elected officials to build support for public works.
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Objectives
1. Discover methods to build local and state support for public works services and projects.
2. Assess methods described in this session for applicability and utilization in your own community.
3. Determine a strategy to engage your local and state officials to build a constituency to support your delivery of critical, but often forgotten, public works services.
Overview
Why Advocacy?
Components of Advocacy
State & Local Advocacy Case Studies/Examples
State & Local Advocacy Successes
Summary
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What is Public Works Advocacy?
• Being a voice and representative of public works at federal, state and local level.
• Providing technical input on regulatory issues and strengthen relationships with regulatory agencies.
• Strengthening partnerships with like‐minded/allied organizations to leverage influence and advance priorities.
• Improving the public perception of the public works profession and value of public works’ contributions to communities.
Why do we need advocacy?
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2013 REPORT CARD FOROKLAHOMA’SINFRASTRUCTUREAn independent review of the current state of infrastructure needs, capability, and funding in the state of Oklahoma by the Oklahoma Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers
Key Components of Advocacy
• Clear, concise, consistent message• Target audience• Methods and tools for communicating the message
• Building and maintaining relationships
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Public Works AdvocacyCase Studies/Examples
APWA SCRC
Advocacy Tool Kit
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Background Based on numerous Small Cities/Rural Communities Town Hall meetings, it is evident that Public Works agencies often face challenges in advocating for federal, state, and local support for issues and funding related to critical public works services and infrastructure.
Many Public Works professionals have developed tools and practices to successfully build support and achieve results to support their agencies.
The Tool Kit for Public Works Advocacy is intended to highlight and share the many success stories and provide the tools necessary to build an advocacy program tailored to the specific needs of your agency.
Advocacy Tool Kit Structure
Web‐based (accessible from the APWA SCRC webpage)
Serve as an advocacy resource of best practices submitted and shared by the members.
The intent is to provide practical, real‐world examples of advocacy methods that have been successful.
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Best Practices Format“Best Practices” will be presented in a one‐page “case study” format and include:
(1) Best Practice
(2) Advocacy Purpose
(3) Target Audience
(4) Resources Required
(5) Description
(6) Case Example
(7) Lessons Learned
(8) Contact Information
Best Practices Examples ‐ State State Municipal League/County Commission Group (Participate in legislative policy agenda and use of lobbyists)
County‐Level Municipal Association (use of work groups for specific issues
State Municipal League annual meetings (have a booth or presentations to highlight PW issues)
Hometown Connection (local PW agencies meeting with their State delegation)
State Delegation Pre‐legislative Session (meetings and/or dinners)
Governor’s Public Works Week Proclamations (more involvement with State legislators during PW Week)
Collaboration with like‐minded organization’s (ASCE, ACCG, GMA, GCCMA)
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Best Practices Examples ‐ Local City Council / County Commission Status Reports
Newly Elected Officials Orientation
Commission/Committee Member Orientation
Public Works Commission/Committee (advocates group / recommending body)
Newsletters (example: “orange barrel report”)
Utility bill inserts (hard copy and email distribution) with a monthly focus
Media Relations (Facebook/Twitter/Cable/Website/Radio/Newspaper/etc.)
Annual reports (newspaper inserts/web‐based)
Citizen Survey (Public Works Scorecards/Scoreboarding)
Citizens Academy (with Public Works in curriculum)
Best Practices Examples ‐ Local
Community Events (Community Clean up; Stream Clean Up; Clean
Sweep; Bring One for the Chipper; APWA Week/ Public Works Day
Open House, Arbor Day (planting in high profile area/ kickoff of
city’s planting program))
Project Groundbreakings/Ribbon‐Cuttings (high visibility projects)
Main Street Partnership (Downtown Beautification)
Community‐wide Environmental Management System
(collaborative public/private partnership; citizen advisory
committee; land/water/air/energy work groups)
Adopt a Road /Adopt a Stream/Adopt a Park/Adopt an Island
Programs
APWA Accreditation (bragging rights/point of pride for City/County)
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Best Practice: Citizens Academy
Purpose: Building community support with citizens.
Target Audience: Community residents.
Resources Needed: Coordination with other Town Departments, staff time and space.
Description: Work with the Town Manager’s office to determine a night for the DPW presentation. The Director with support from the Operations Manger will present. Prepare handouts and a power point presentation that explains what DPW is, how it is organized, who the key staff are, what services are provided for the residents, how we are funded and how we can work together. Include pictures, stats and other pertinent info. Solicit questions and input during and after the presentation.
American Public Works AssociationAdvocacy Toolkit
APWA SCRC Advocacy Tool Kit
http://www.apwa.net/standing_committees/scrc/Advocacy‐
Toolkit
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Public Works AdvocacySuccess
Advocacy Successes at the State Level
GDOT Local Maintenance/Improvement Grant
All counties and cities have a funded amount calculated by
formula based on centerline mileage and population.
Previous program required an application process whereby
GDOT had the discretion to approve/ disapprove projects.
Application process was a moving target (informal without
an application format)
Due to the “red‐tape” involved only 85% of the local
governments submitted for what by law was their money!
Funds not granted remained in the State coffers!
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Advocacy Successes at the State Level
GDOT Local Maintenance/Improvement Grant
Initiative introduced to streamline the funding process by:
Eliminating the application process
Sending the funds directly to the local government
Allowing local governments use the funds as authorized
subject to audit
Strategy:
Discussed with GDOT Staff
Built support among other Cities/Counties
Drafted legislation / included as GMA Legislative Policy
Advocacy Successes at the State Level
GDOT Local Maintenance/Improvement Grant Results
oGDOT Listened (Due in part to Pending Legislation &
Lobby Efforts)
oGDOT Adjusting Policy without the Need for Legislation
oGDOT Allowed Local Government Participation in Review
of Program Changes
o Initiative was implemented
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Georgia Transportation Funding Act of 2015 (HB 170)
Advocacy Successes at the State Level
This much‐needed funding – an estimated $830 million to $1 billion in annual revenues offers Georgia DOT the opportunity to address critical infrastructure needs in routine and capital maintenance. Historically, Georgia DOT resurfaced 6‐7 percent of the system annually which resulted in a 15‐year resurfacing cycle. In 2014, only 2 percent of the system was resurfaced which meant that critical roads would be resurfaced every 50 years. Without the TFA, the Department anticipated resurfacing 1 percent of the system annually, putting major road resurfacing on a 100‐year cycle.
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(from $0.075)
($5 per room night)
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Transportation Funding Plan
HB170/Transportation Funding Act of 2015 (TFA 2015) affirmed the Legislative Joint Study Committee’s recommendation that $1 ‐ $1.5 B in new annual transportation infrastructure funding is needed to address the State’s challenges.
It is an excellent example of what so many other states are facing – it provides multiple options including the indexing of the excise tax and other fees to maintain a more dependable funding stream that will help counter the inflationary effects that could exist later.
It also allows funding flexibility between state and federal funding.
TFA 2015 is not a unique program to one area of the Department, but is spread across all programs.
Address Maintenance & Operations Needs Georgia DOT has prioritized the backlog of transportation needs for this additional funding; primary focus areas will include maintenance and operations:
Increased routine maintenance (pothole repair, grass mowing, litter pick‐up, striping, guardrail repair and other preventative maintenance.)
Increased resurfacing of state routes and Interstates
More bridge replacements and improved bridge maintenance
Increased safety and operational improvement projects
Increased Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) funds
The additional state funding allows the Department the ability to move federal funding to less complex projects; allowing projects to be potentially delivered faster and cheaper.
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Transportation Funding Act of 2015
Transportation Funding Act of 2015
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Transportation Funding Act of 2015
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Transportation Funding Act of 2015
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Transportation Funding Act of 2015
Transportation Funding Act of 2015
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Here’s the Rest of the Story – page 1
Transportation Funding Act of 2015 (version 1)
Increase State transportation funding by $1 Billion annually by:
Eliminating the Local Sales Tax on motor fuel ($516 Million)
Increasing the State Motor Fuel Excise Tax from $0.075/gal to $0.292/gal (gasoline) and $0.33/gal (diesel) based on the margin gained from eliminating the Local Sales Tax
Adding State Transportation tax on rental vehicles
Eliminating Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) tax credit and adding a State Transportation Tax on AFV’s
Eliminating Low Emission Vehicle Tax Credit
Here’s the Rest of the Story – page 2
Local Governments recognized the need for more State and Local transportation funding
However, local governments did not buy into the concept of swapping local revenues to meet the State’s funding shortfall
The public at large did not engage in the conflict since the cost of fuel was not expected to increase
Contractors and Consultants associations supported the State’s proposal
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Here’s the Rest of the Story – page 3
Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) & Association of County Commissioners (ACCG) joined efforts to harness the energy of local elected officials to advocate against the bill
City and County Managers, Finance Officers, Public Works Officials, School Superintendents, and others worked diligently to highlight the bill’s impact on local governments based on the lost revenue
Local governments passed resolutions in opposition to the bill and used the media effectively (press releases and meetings) to be heard by the General Assembly
Here’s the Rest of the Story – page 4Transportation Funding Act of 2015 (final version)
Increased State transportation funding by $830 Million in Year 1 with indexing to reach $1 Billion with economic growth: Retained the Local Sales Tax on motor fuel Increased the State Motor Fuel Excise Tax from $0.075/gal to $0.26/gal (gasoline) and $0.29/gal (diesel)
Added Highway Impact Fee for heavy vehicles Eliminated Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) tax credit and added a State Transportation Tax on AFV’s
Eliminated low emission vehicle tax credit Eliminated jet fuel tax exemption Added a hotel/motel transportation fee of $5/room night Allowed local governments to call for Regional and/or County‐wide Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST)
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Advocacy Successes at the Local Level
Regional Transportation Initiative
Regional Roundtables for 1% Sales Tax Referendum
Reached Consensus on Regional Transportation
Project Needs
Referendum Results: Some Passed & Some Failed
Benefit: Counties in the Regions Learned to Work
Together to Determine Regional Priorities
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For Effective Advocacy
Discover methods to build community support for public works services and projects.
Assess those methods for applicability and utilization in your own community.
Determine a strategy to engage your community and build a constituency to support your delivery of critical, but often forgotten, public works services.
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Keys to Developing an Advocacy Strategy
Understand your Situation, Goals & Needs
Clear, Concise Message & Target Audience
Have a Plan and Implementation Strategy
Seek out Partners with Common Vision and Goals
Success Requires:
o Commitment
o Perseverance (marathon, not a sprint!)
o Participation