The Resolutions adopted by the members of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas (CJCAT) at the Annual Conference originate among members of Commissioners Courts and serve as the CJCAT Legislative Platform. The spotlight below discusses Damage to County Roads by Oil and Gas Activity
The County Transportation Infrastructure Fund Grant Program (CTIF) authorized by the 86th Texas Legislature provided 80/20 grant funding for county road repair grants utilizing a distribution formula designed to address oil and gas production damage. Lawmakers earmarked $250 million for the grant program with the stipulation that all CTIF funds be utilized by June 24, 2025.
The majority of the $250 million was utilized, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, which administered the grant program.
Lawmakers did not appropriate any money for CTIF during the 89th Legislative Session.
County Impact
Howard County was eligible for $8,777,940 in CTIF funds, and the county used every penny.
“Including our match, we spent $10,972,425 on 26 projects,” shared Howard County Judge Randy Johnson. Most of the projects were related to widening and/or rehabilitating 55 miles of existing roads.
“A total of 77 miles of roads were positively impacted through this grant,” Johnson detailed. “We spent every bit of the grant money and then went back and asked for more.”
Howard County roads take a beating with the large truck traffic, Johnson continued.
“The sides get torn up so quickly on our narrow roads as oncoming traffic forces vehicles to ride those vulnerable edges,” he added. “We were quite disappointed that new money was not put into the CTIF grant program.”
Midland County was eligible for $18,880,869 and also used every cent.
“As a state leader in fossil fuel production, we take seriously our commitment to supporting the industry as well as state and national security goals associated with the process of output of product from our county,” stated Andrew W. Avis, director of Public Works for Midland County.
“CTIF grants directly impact our ability to support these important goals and efforts,” Avis emphasized.
For example, CTIF funds were used for 9 miles of new road to provide alternate connectivity for oil field traffic south of Midland and a new culvert bridge crossing at Monahans Draw to improve storm runoff drainage; these are two of multiple projects completed.
Midland County had already planned for anticipated CTIF grant funds and has several projects waiting to be launched, Avis reported.
Members of Commissioners Courts worked with the CJCAT to develop the following resolution:
Damage to County Roads by Oil and Gas Activity
WHEREAS, counties impacted by oil and gas activity experience significant and costly damages to the county road system; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Legislature has created the County Transportation Infrastructure Fund (CTIF) which has received two appropriations from the state revenues; and
WHEREAS, local tax revenue must be appropriated to repair the damages when the CTIF grant appropriation is insufficient; and
WHEREAS, the 86th Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 2 which restricts property tax revenue growth and provides for a local referendum on property tax increases; and
WHEREAS, the needs of the oil and gas industry may not be met, and public safety may deteriorate if local elections for tax revenue increases are vetoed by local taxpayers;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas hereby requests that the Texas Legislature relieve local taxpayers of the burden of repairing county roads damaged by oil and gas activity by enacting a permanent statewide funding solution for repairing the damage to county roads caused by oil and gas activity.