5/21/2013 Research Memo 1 3 RM 010 Date: May 21, 2013 Author: Michael Swank, Senior Research Analyst Re: Other States Highway Construction and Related Administrative Expenditures QUESTIONS 1. How much do other surrounding states spend on highway construction and maintenance projects and what are their relative interstate and administrative/overhead costs related to all highway construction projects? ANSWERS 1. Table 1, next page, provides a summary of Wyoming's Department of Transportation (WYDOT) surface transportation (highways and roadways) construction costs (obligations) for the last three fiscal years. The table also summarizes other surrounding states' construction cost information as well as total department budgets, interstate-only costs, and overhead or administrative costs. In short, Wyoming does not appear to be an outlier compared to the selected surrounding states in terms of the amount of the state's transportation budget dedicated to surface transportation construction costs. Two states (Montana and Nebraska) allocated a greater percentage of their budget and two states (Utah and South Dakota) allocated a lower percentage of their budget, compared to Wyoming, on surface transportation construction. In addition, compared to the two other states that were able to provide similar information (Montana and Nebraska) Wyoming has the lowest administrative costs for surface transportation construction projects (5.8% compared to 6.8% and 8.2%, respectively). Keep in mind that, generally, it is very difficult to compare each state's transportation funding practices due to a variety of factors. For example, though LSO attempted to get each state to report on construction obligations, several states provided their construction "costs" indicated by actual expenditures, contractual obligations, or budgeted amounts. In addition, the following factors should be considered when reviewing this information along with the footnotes shown below Table 1: Each state receives different levels of federal funding. Depending on the type of funding, state or local matching requirements, administrative or other allowances for certain programs' funding, the level of administrative costs and amounts dedicated to actual construction will vary; There may be different requirements depending on each state's constitutional provisions, laws, and regulations as to how other states can spend state-generated revenues on transportation expenses; WYOMING LEGISLATIVE SERVICE OFFICE • 213 State Capitol • Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002 TELEPHONE (307) 777-7881 • FAX (307) 777-5466 • EMAIL • [email protected] • WEBSITE http://legisweb.state.wy.us PAGE 2 OF 2 Each state's definition of construction and maintenance costs as well as their definitions as to when certain roadways meet necessary criteria to warrant maintenance and construction activities will vary as well as from which funding sources may pay for such activities. Even when unable to compare directly to construction and maintenance costs, comparing overall department budgets among states may include unlike functions. For example, WYDOT houses the Aeronautics Division, which functions quite differently than other Divisions within the department. Table 1. Wyoming and Other Surrounding States' Highway Construction Budgets/Expenditure and Administrative Costs, FY 2010 – 2012. Funding Types Wyoming Utah Montana South Dakota 3 Nebraska State Highway Funds $115,463,748 $2,575,084,949 $489,478,427 $203,535,776 4 $523,546,665 (User Fees) Separate Legislative $142,720,939 $1,867,000 $24,249,288 $0 $0 Appropriations Local Funds $25,411,350 $50,846,026 $6,303,759 $0 $34,078,541 Other Funds $10,276,814 $0 $0 $0 $30,816,537 Federal Funds $778,163,258 $936,375,856 1 $1,000,768,821 $936,825,375 $854,627,441 Total Construction Funds $1,072,036,109 $2,627,797,975 $1,520,800,295 $936,825,375 $1,443,069,184 Interstates - All Funds $224,792,361 NS $258,643,575 NS $248,819,000 Administrative Costs $61,886,697 2 $103,614,771 2 $118,813,389 Total Department Budget $1,788,068,868 $5,789,057,482 $2,370,897,353 $1,714,890,880 $1,978,298,488 Interstates as % of All 20.97% ----- 17.01% ----- 17.24% Construction Funds Construction Funds as % of 59.95% 45.39% 64.14% 54.63% 72.94% Total Budget Administrative Costs as % of 5.77% 2 6.81% 2 8.23% Construction Funds Source: LSO Research summary of Wyoming Department of Transportation and other states information. 1 Utah specified that no American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds were included in their federal funds. 2 Utah and South Dakota noted that they do not allocate or charge administrative costs toward construction projects. Each state has a separate operations unit from which all administrative funding is accounted for their respective departments. 3 South Dakota provided data for FY 2011, 2012, and 2013. 4 South Dakota specified their construction funds as federal and non-federal funds. Non-federal funds includes state funds and/or highway user fees, but may include funding from the "Other Funds" and "Local Funds" categories, but were not separated in their response. If you need anything further, please contact LSO Research at 777-7881. WYOMING LEGISLATIVE SERVICE OFFICE • 213 State Capitol • Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002 TELEPHONE (307) 777-7881 • FAX (307) 777-5466 • EMAIL • [email protected] • WEBSITE http://legisweb.state.wy.us Attachment A Wyoming Department of Transportation State and Federal Highway Improvement Obligations, Including Administrative Costs and Interstate-Specific Spending for FY 2010 – 2012 Total Dollars ($) and Percent (%) Table A1. Wyoming State, Federal, and Other Highway Improvement Obligation Dollars, with Percent and Dollars of Administrative Costs, FY 2010 – 2012. % Total Total % WYDOT Obligations Federal Obligations Fiscal Year Administrative Administrative Total of Total State and Other Fund Obligations Funds (Federal and (FY) Costs 2 Costs of Total Budgeted WYDOT Obligations State and Obligations Revenue Budgeted Other) Revenue State Total State Legislative Local (A) Highway ARS 1 and Other (G) (H = F+G) (I) (J = I / H) (K) (L = H / K) Funds Funds Funds Obligations (F = (B) (C) (D) (E) B+C+D+E) FY 2010 $43,822,651 $57,725,884 $8,187,293 $5,084,766 $70,997,942 $265,400,014 $336,397,957 $21,190,716 6.30% $640,537,860 52.52% FY 2011 $25,727,689 $13,430,410 $1,828,536 $3,239,590 $18,498,536 $239,847,400 $258,345,936 $18,623,808 7.21% $602,198,712 42.90% FY 2012 $45,913,409 $71,564,644 $15,395,521 $1,952,458 $88,912,623 $272,915,844 $361,828,467 $22,072,173 6.10% $545,332,296 66.35% FY 2010 - $115,463,749 $142,720,938 $25,411,350 $10,276,814 $293,872,851 $778,163,258 $956,572,360 $61,886,697 6.47% $1,788,068,868 53.50% 2012 Source: LSO Research summary of Wyoming Department of Transportation data. 1 "ARS" (Authority to Render Service) obligations are for work done by the DOT for private or governmental (city, county, state or federal) entities. Examples would be providing city water, sewer, and/or utility improvements, sidewalks, ADA improvements, studies or appraisals, etc. 2 Overhead/Administrative costs include program, district and administration costs indirectly attributable to highway projects. Examples are building costs, computer costs, general property costs, administration salaries, etc. Table A2. Wyoming Interstate Highway Improvement Obligations, FY 2010 – 2012. % Admin. State Fiscal Legislative Local Administrative Costs of Interstate Federal Funds Highway ARS1 Total Year Funds Funds Costs2 Construction Funds Funds Interstate 25 $31,996,010.26 $3,056,732 $0 $0 $0 $35,052,742 $2,433,033 6.94% Interstate 80 $20,977,328.95 $2,385,297 $0 $0 $0 $23,362,626 $1,595,153 6.83% 2010 Interstate 90 $9,433,883.04 $1,214,828 $0 $0 $0 $10,648,711 $717,369 6.74% Interstate 180 $81,255.82 $6,608 $0 $0 $0 $87,864 $6,179 7.03% Subtotal $62,488,478.07 $6,663,465 $0 $0 $0 $69,151,943 $4,751,734 6.87% Interstate 25 $25,998,165.04 $2,769,077 $0 $0 $0 $28,767,242 $1,976,946 6.87% Interstate 80 $21,312,427.50 $3,061,301 $0 $0 $0 $24,373,729 $1,620,635 6.65% 2011 Interstate 90 $3,264,402.29 $640,798 $0 $0 $0 $3,905,201 $248,231 6.36% Interstate 180 $750,728.00 $58,595 $0 $0 $0 $809,323 $57,087 7.05% Subtotal $51,325,722.83 $6,529,771 $0 $0 $0 $57,855,494 $3,902,899 6.75% Interstate 25 $14,248,604.44 $1,764,153 $0 $0 $0 $16,012,757 $1,083,489 6.77% Interstate 80 $51,577,982.31 $4,238,984 $0 $0 $0 $55,816,966 $3,922,081 7.03% 2012 Interstate 90 $22,274,276.14 $3,210,850 $0 $0 $0 $25,485,126 $1,693,775 6.65% Interstate 180 $450,345.78 $19,728 $0 $0 $0 $470,074 $34,245 7.29% Subtotal $88,551,208.67 $9,233,715 $0 $0 $0 $97,784,924 $6,733,590 6.89% All Total 202,365,409.57 $22,426,951 $0 $0 $0 $224,792,361 $15,388,223 6.85% FY Source: LSO Research summary of Wyoming Department of Transportation data. 1 "ARS" (Authority to Render Service) obligations are for work done by the DOT for private or governmental (city, county, state or federal) entities. Examples would be providing city water, sewer, and/or utility improvements, sidewalks, ADA improvements, studies or appraisals, etc. 2 Overhead/Administrative costs include program, district and administration costs indirectly attributable to highway projects. Examples are building costs, computer costs, general property costs, administration salaries, etc.