Arkansas municipalities have submitted requests totaling $28 million over 82 projects for a state street aid program expected to total only $14.5 million after the first round of funding.
A panel of seven mayors last week approved 64 projects totaling $13.1 million. The panel approved 11 projects totaling $3.2 million in March.
A measure approved by voters in November 2012 created a state aid street program funded by a dedicated 1 cent from the state’s gasoline tax of 21.7 cents per gallon. The tax is expected to generate $18 million a year.
The oversight panel is expected to meet again in September. It meets four times a year.
Cities and counties will also receive a total of $700 million over 10 years from a temporary 0.5% sales tax approved as a constitutional amendment in November 2012. Most of the revenue from the temporary tax is dedicated to $1.3 billion of state bonds for highway projects.
