The Turlock City Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss roadways, interchanges, and corridors in Turlock.
Council will receive an update from staff on the future of the City of Turlock’s transportation network, including interchanges, corridors, and the surface conditions of existing streets.
Turlock City Council will also consider and discuss the various long-term options for funding street maintenance.
In 2013, Nichols Consulting Engineers surveyed the entire street network and found that Turlock roads were “at risk.”
Using the Pavement Condition Index (PCI), a scale from 0 to 100, they determined that Turlock roads were at 67 PCI — making them at risk. Failed roads score 0 to 24 PCI; poor roads score 25 to 49; at risk roads score 50 to 69; and good to excellent roads score 70 to 100.
According to the survey, 54 percent of Turlock roads were “good to excellent,” with 23 percent being “at risk,” 20 percent “poor,” and 3 percent “failed.”
Compared to surrounding cities — which includes Modesto, Hughson, Ceres, Patterson, Waterford, Newman, Oakdale, and Riverbank — Turlock has the second worst roads, behind only Modesto (63 PCI); Hughson had the best roads (82 PCI).
The main issue with the decay of Turlock roads has been funding. Current funding for roads exists only through assessment districts (maintenance only), Regional Surface Transportation Program, Gas Tax, and the $50,000 from the General Fund.
However, the Gas Tax is declining, according to staff, due to more fuel efficient vehicles. Staff estimates that the Gas Tax in 2014-15 will generate $737,513, but will drop to $353,131 in 2015-16.
According to staff, with current funding, approximately $1.25 million per year, roads will be at a PCI of 61 in five year and 33 in 20 years. The deferred maintenance would also greatly increase if funding continues at current rates.
A proposed half-cent sales tax, that was estimated to generate approximately $5 million per year for roads, was placed on the November 2014 ballot, however Turlock voters did not approve the tax. Funding of approximately $6.25 million per year would benefit Turlock roads in the immediate future, but in 20 years Turlock would be in the same place as it is now.
It is estimated that it would cost $11.4 million per year over the next 20 years to get Turlock to a PCI of 80 and maintain it.
One member of Council who said he could not support the half-cent sales tax was Mayor Gary Soiseth. Soiseth has been in favor of a countywide tax to benefit roads.
“I was critical of the proposed sales tax increase on the city-level, largely because I believe Turlock’s transportation needs—whether they be local roadways, highway interchanges, or regional corridors—are best addressed through regional solutions,” said Soiseth during his State of the City address.
Soiseth has appointed himself to the Stanislaus Council of Government (StanCOG) in order to push a county tax that benefits Turlock.
Although estimated revenue for Turlock roads in a countywide tax are not yet available, it is clear that the City of Turlock needs funding to better local roads.
Turlock City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in the Yosemite Room of City Hall, 156 S. Broadway.
Gary Soiseth didn't support measure B road tax because it was John Lazar's idea that Mike Brem backed first as an intelligent solution.
Now The KID has a brilliant new idea!! A county tax AKA The KID Tax!!
Will Fransen oppose Soiseth's road tax like all the other taxes or is he saying yes to everything Soiseth wants to spite Lazar?
TurlockCityNews.com
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Anita Nicolini, Jason Matthew Monds, Debbie Williams and 97 others like this.
Larry Parkinson I'm in favor of rooting out waste and pork city, state, and federal. There is plenty of money if it is spent right!
Like · Reply · 8 · February 16 at 5:58pm
Darrell Thompson How about using the money they already get from us? What about all the fuel tax the county gets? The problem isn't a lack of money. The problem is misappropriation of funds, and way too much waste.
Like · Reply · 13 · February 16 at 6:06pm
Stephanie Gonzalez Spent zero until last year huh? And then they stupidly approved a $250k contract on stupid maps and brochures (thank goodness they reneged on that). I think we know where the waste of money is and where the money could be gathered from. Y'know if they actually DID THEIR JOBS instead of wanting to tax the people to death.mwe already voted NO on this road tax measure. Do they not learn?
Like · Reply · 5 · February 16 at 6:06pm
Doug Leung So....what did they spend the general fund on? U already stated they have not spent any until last year and it was a measles sum of 50,000.00. Now our roads are failing......and it still does not seem like they are spending much to do anything......let...See More
Like · Reply · 2 · February 16 at 6:08pm
Craig Dunham They should have thought about how much it would cost to maintain current roads before adding more houses and business' to the city years ago. Come on man...
Like · Reply · 3 · February 16 at 6:17pm
Joe Lema We already pay road taxes at the fuel island read what all taxes come out of the fuel pricing why should we pay more for people to miss manage funds even more just saying
Like · Reply · 6 · February 16 at 6:20pm
Teri Bieser del Pozzo All I can say is that there's a lot of roads in Turlock that need to be fixed
Like · Reply · 5 · February 16 at 6:22pm
Anita McClintock Stinson No I wouldn't support MORE TAXES... If the city used what they get to do what their supposed to be for we wouldn't have an issue. Instead they thought it was better to give millions of dollars to their city lawyer and head of the city councilmen instead.
Like · Reply · 5 · February 16 at 6:25pm
Cari Hellrigel I'm for them fixing the roads if its done correctly and not just patched they will have to fix it again a less than year later. I'm tired of them fixing roads that don't need to be fixed
Like · Reply · 5 · February 16 at 6:25pm
Chilito Valenzuela You mean fixing sidewall gashers like this....?.... or does that fall under landscaping problem.
Chilito Valenzuela's photo.
Like · Reply · 2 · February 16 at 6:26pm
Barbara Bayless It's about time Turlock fixes their roads I'm in my Wheelchair and at times it isn't very pleasant to ride on a terrible broken road. Please fix Turlock Thank you
Like · Reply · February 16 at 6:27pm
Sheri Yagi Seriously, I live off Daubenberger and they have paved our roads twice and they did not need them, there are many streets that are bad, I'm afraid to drove on some. I guess it keeps our friends Balswick Tires in business. Curious how many residence use...See More
Like · Reply · February 16 at 6:32pm
Sue Razwick This is such a joke all the city council knows how to do is talk about it then spend no money!!!! What have they spent 50.000 on filling the pot holes which by the way who ever does that does a piss poor job of it !!!
Like · Reply · 7 · February 16 at 6:33pm
Cari Hellrigel But I am not for paying more taxes what about all that money saved up from not fixing the roads
Like · Reply · 3 · February 16 at 6:35pm
Sara Youhanaei Why don't they fix the way they (the council) spends the money before you sit there and continue to discuss a road tax? why don't you use the money you already have. It's a wonder we, the people of turlock have lost faith in the city. We have a council that doesn't listen to us.
Like · Reply · 3 · February 16 at 6:40pm
Lorena Alvarez-Burkett How about I already pay a lot of taxes and how about cutting the pay of people that make more than they should
Like · Reply · 5 · February 16 at 6:44pm
Loraine Hoffman why are the funds that we pay in taxes for roads already not paying for these repairs NO MORE TAXES!!!! we are taxed out use wisely what u have already you are breaking our backs already
Like · Reply · 7 · February 16 at 6:46pm
Larry Velasquez Always talk but no action.
Like · Reply · 2 · February 16 at 6:47pm
Joyce Beason NO!!!!!
Like · Reply · 1 · February 16 at 7:08pm
Cheri Cushing Starkey We already pay road taxes..no more money!
Like · Reply · 2 · February 16 at 7:12pm
Kenneth Rosenberg Always the same more tax when are you going to get it we are tired of paying more where's the money from gas tax that's suppose to pay for roads
Like · Reply · 6 · February 16 at 7:12pm
Scott Stratton We all pay enough taxes already ! Just fix the damn roads !
Like · Reply · 5 · February 16 at 7:12pm
Austin Beasley Shit with all the money I have to spend to fix my suspension cuz of these roads I'd be more than happy to pay a little more in taxes as long as they fix the roads that really need it, like all the streets on the west side are shit and I never see anyone touch them
Like · Reply · 4 · February 16 at 7:15pm
Erlinda Ewing it would be nice if they use that money where they're suppose to!! and the roads need to be fixed big time
Like · Reply · 1 · February 16 at 7:17pm
Linda Livingston So, if the city has spent, essentially, zero dollars on this, in spite of the gas tax monies received, we should pay yet more?! The roads aren't even being maintained or patched! Surely the gas tax would cover that. Driving down Golden State I am in fe...See More
Like · Reply · 4 · February 16 at 7:25pm · Edited
Delinda De La Cruz I bet there is a lot of grants that if the city would apply for them they could get. The home owners in Turlock already have to pick up the city's job of fixing sidewalks, taking care of city trees on curbs, cleaning out street drains that flood etc. t...See More
Like · Reply · 3 · February 16 at 7:20pm
H-e Window Tinting 11 million per year???? I need to start a paving business, from the sound of it, someone's wallet will be filled really well in the council.
Like · Reply · February 16 at 7:30pm
Kathy Nightingale-Poteat The County would take it all if it were a County Tax and feed their money pit called an alternative route around Oakdale.
Like · Reply · February 16 at 7:35pm
Brian DeRhen Obligatory anti-tax comment, because it's not repetitive or anything.
Like · Reply · February 16 at 7:37pm
Marty Mann No I will not it will not go roads
Like · Reply · 1 · February 16 at 7:46pm
Tony Liston Why are we even talking about this? We have a road tax. How about cut the unnecessary expenses. I was having a hard time paying my bills so guess what I did? I cut off my tv, cut my cell phone bill, and sold a car which saved me on insurance. It's call...See More
Like · Reply · 9 · February 16 at 7:48pm
Joel R Pace I would. Support it If the work is done by City of Turlock employees rather than outside contracts. Keep Turlocks money in Turlock.
Like · Reply · 2 · February 16 at 7:57pm
Ryan Ashoury Show me the construction crews ready to work then I'll pay extra tax how about that???!!
Like · Reply · February 16 at 8:03pm
Marilyn-Bob LaFollette Tucker No new tax. Maby they should have thought of the roads before they give the raises.
Like · Reply · 3 · February 16 at 8:17pm
David Babadalir The roads need to get worse in order for the people running Turlock to realize they need to balance the checkbook. They already get enough in taxes from the tires sold and gas pumped. Where did it all go?
Like · Reply · 3 · February 16 at 8:48pm
Marina Ruano O for Alpha rd turlock
Marina Ruano's photo.
Like · Reply · February 16 at 9:10pm
Michael Rojas Jr. Are you effing kidding? The city of turlock had a quarter million dollars of "miracle money" and SQUANDERED it chasing tourist fairies and unicorns and the flushing of that toilet was heard citywide.Why should anyone believe city or county is going to ...See More
Like · Reply · 5 · February 16 at 9:12pm
Marina Ruano This is turlock
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Like · Reply · February 16 at 9:14pm
Marina Ruano alpha rd turlock
Marina Ruano's photo.
Like · Reply · February 16 at 9:18pm
Bryan Greene I heard it cost a million dollars to put that light in at Colorado and Monte Vista and it's still a two lane road down that part of Monte Vista. The planning department of Turlock is in the Stone Age.
Like · Reply · 4 · February 16 at 9:19pm
Marina Ruano
Marina Ruano's photo.
Like · Reply · February 16 at 9:20pm
Ernesto Villegas Contreras Why dont they fix the messed up streets and stop lights instead of fixing the damn rite aid and big five shopping center parking lots.
Like · Reply · 1 · February 16 at 9:33pm
James Blumenstein My property tax just doubled in the last 6 months..Friday I got a notice on my door the city of Turlock will give me 10 days to install new curb and gutter and new side walk.[we put in a new sidewalk 3 years ago and had the trees trimed .Most towns th...See More
Like · Reply · 4 · February 16 at 9:37pm
James Blumenstein A war veteran that got his testicles blown off in the gulf war started working for the city of Turlock..His boss told him he could come in late because the first couple hours they just sat around scratching their Balls...
Like · Reply · 1 · February 16 at 9:44pm
Wil Mathews So how do "we the people" address this ... so that the city will hear us... I am sure that they do not read our comments on facebook...???
Like · Reply · 1 · February 16 at 10:11pm
David Robert Smith Road repairs can be very expensive when you ignore the annual need to keep things in good condition. The country-wide 1/2 cent tax is OK with me. The lengthy term to bring roads up to snuff is not. We need a 5-year plan to git 'er done.
Like · Reply · 2 · February 16 at 10:14pm
Nathan Simpson There's a new Mayor and some new counsel members. They're already starting off as crooks. There are too many city employees and that's only part of the budget mismanagement. You'd think people would wake up. I guess being involved in local government isn't a job anymore it's a racket.
Like · Reply · 2 · February 16 at 10:26pm
Kimberly Williams Lamarre #NO
Like · Reply · 1 · February 16 at 11:02pm
Roger Liston No we have enough taxes. Cut the budget
Like · Reply · 4 · February 16 at 11:15pm
Roger Liston Are you out of your minds? No new taxes
Like · Reply · 4 · February 16 at 11:17pm
Sandie Sing Since people do not want new taxes, then we must prioritize the needs we want for our town. We will have to cut and trim.
Like · Reply · 2 · Yesterday at 12:41am
Maria Carmen Leiva-Ikari It needs to be done!!! The roads are terrible. It got rated a D...Something needs to be done. The news is showing it. Do we want to be the city known as messed up roads. Let's get a solution going tomorrow
Like · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 12:44am · Edited
Alan McCord instead of one guy working and 3 guys standing around watching him. Let's have those three guys working aswell.
Like · Reply · 6 · Yesterday at 5:43am · Edited
Cheryl Cranefield Weber I'm not excited about the thought of new taxes. We always hear that the only way to fund these projects is to raise taxes. Maybe the city finance office needs to show the community how they are trimming wasteful spending first. Our new mayor just go...See More
Like · Reply · Yesterday at 6:11am
Jovan Caviglia I have worked on the HORRIBLE road of First street for over 14 years, it has cost me $ in damaged car suspension, our clients have to drive on the worst road just the get to us. Talk about horrible curb appeal!Yet the street has never been repaved, but...See More
Like · Reply · 5 · Yesterday at 6:57am · Edited
Tammy Avant Hmmm.. well I'm pretty sure that we already have a Rd tax. Why in the world would we need to be taxed again for this?
Like · Reply · Yesterday at 7:24am
Joseph Esquivel No
Like · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 7:40am
Gerry Grossman Want to know who the politians are beholden to? Check and see who backed their campaigns. As always, follow the money.
Like · Reply · 3 · Yesterday at 7:40am
Faith Sunde They need to spend the money they have already taken in taxes for roads...on roads.
Like · Reply · 2 · Yesterday at 7:44am
Paul Kelly Hmm....ever looked at the amount of money the school system is holding you up for? How about you get those teachers out and teach them to repave the roads. At least that would be productive work people would want.
Like · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 7:45am
Kayla Tabaldi That is the most ignorant thing I've read all day. Doesn't surprise me though. This is Turlock after all.
Like · Yesterday at 8:19am
Paul Kelly So, you like your teachers? That's good to read When I lived in Sacramento, I drank in the kool-aid those teachers spooned out and then had to spend a decade learning the truth, something I had not learned in school. I'm quite overjoyed to learn that, ...See More
Like · Yesterday at 8:21am
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Kayla Tabaldi Yes! New roads and add bike lanes! Whatever it takes.
Like · Reply · Yesterday at 8:19am
Tanya J. White Let me get this right....they want to tax us more, so they can fix the roads that they didn't maintain. As usual they threaten to cut services yet they have money to promote the city. Maybe we could make the sidewalks bigger and eliminate parking downtown to save money for road repairs. Rory
Like · Reply · Yesterday at 8:20am
Red Epidermis Bout time
Like · Reply · Yesterday at 8:45am
Kathryn Lundrigan I'm not that up on Turlock government since I haven't even lived here a year but I am up on the horrible conditions of our roads! I'm not sure what it's going to take to get them fixed, but they need to be because some of these potholes can actually do serious damage!
They city should be ashamed of itself for letting them get into this state of disrepair!
Like · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 8:45am
Red Epidermis Vistor center, new police headquarters but tax more seem legit
Like · Reply · 2 · Yesterday at 8:46am
Zack Mcsweeney No....I don't think our roads are that bad....I think the tax should be voluntary… If you care about the roads… Pay for them… If you don't… Then don't pay for them
Like · Reply · Yesterday at 8:54am
Larry Velasquez Glad my truck is four wheel drive. You need it in Turlock
Like · Reply · 2 · Yesterday at 8:55am
Catherine Myers
Catherine Myers's photo.
Like · Reply · 4 · Yesterday at 8:57am
Melly Vas Stupid first of all stop fixing roads that are perfectly fine and fix the ones that are actually messed up common sense!
Like · Reply · 3 · Yesterday at 9:43am
Alexis Dawn Nolan YES please do fix some of these really messed up roads here in Turlock! especially W. Canal!
Like · Reply · Yesterday at 9:47am
Pat Harrison No more taxes...reconfigure the funds you already have. We have all had to revise our budgrts, reduce our spending and give up some of our past pleasures. You have to do the same!!!
Like · Reply · 4 · Yesterday at 10:17am
Steven Bosma The whole county was left in shambles with shoddy patch jobs no thanks to Ray Simon and Jim DeMarini and their clan..
Like · Reply · Yesterday at 10:28am
Aziz de la Torre They need to see hackeye and geer Because they are major roads and. They are absolutely in bad shape
Like · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 10:55am
Dominique Leyva NO TO ALL TAXES! Let the government learn to budget. Stay out of our pockets. Every time they pass a school tax of any sort they still cancel programs for schools.
Like · Reply · Yesterday at 11:42am
Burt Baucom Maybe the city should have spent money on street renovation instead of the stupid speed bumps and round-a-bouts on toulumne and minasota aves...not to mention all the landscaping in the middle of north goldenstate bl..our city needs a change of decission makers!
Like · Reply · 3 · 23 hours ago
Ric Gomez Here's an idea. How about we go back to volunteer firefighters? There's a reason why the firehouses and fire trucks are so clean... And no to the tax!!!
Like · Reply · 1 · 22 hours ago
Memo Delatorre We pay tags on our cars that portion go's to maintaining the roads where is it going
Like · Reply · 22 hours ago
Robert Gutierrez We already pay for roads service and repair. It's the politicians who miss manage the money and expect us to pull them out of the hole with more taxes. It a bunch of BS
Like · Reply · 22 hours ago
Shane Singh You know they ain't going to do shit the road on by Walgreen's and Donnelly Park has been messed up for I don't know about three four years, ever since I've been living there and it's never been fixed up.
Like · Reply · 1 · 21 hours ago
TurlockCityNews.com The City of Turlock and all Turlock City Councilmembers have been emailed all of your comments and requested that they acknowledge them as public comment at tonight's workshop. Thanks for all your comments of concern and suggestions.
Like · Reply · Commented on by TurlockCityNews.com · 21 hours ago
TurlockCityNews.com Questions were also emailed that should be asked to City Staff, since none were in the presentation to be given to the Turlock City Council:
How did roads get neglected by lack of funding sources?
When did this happen?...See More
Like · Reply · Commented on by TurlockCityNews.com · 21 hours ago
Norma Quiroz No
Like · Reply · 20 hours ago
Scott McKee I used to live off Countryside by all the new business and they repaved that area twice in a 5 year span. It would be nice to see the city spread this out more.
Like · Reply · 20 hours ago
Wiinnie Davis Is this another example of money allocated for one purpose (roads) being siphoned off and spent on other, perhaps frivolous, things?
Like · Reply · 20 hours ago
Walt Smith i would rather get rid of the tweakers first please...
Like · Reply · 19 hours ago
Kimberly Williams Lamarre #NO
Like · Reply · 17 hours ago
Joey Greenleaves Asking for more taxes seems like a bail out to me,was this the first idea they came up with or were there others before they settled on this ingenius of an idea smh
Like · Reply · 17 hours ago
Melody K Styles NO MORE TAXES!!!
Like · Reply · 38 minutes ago