The Carmel Pine Cone
April 21, 2006

Dear Editor,

Widely different figures have been quoted recently in your newspaper as to the maintenance costs for Carmel Valley roads. To ensure that Carmel Valley residents have the facts, I’d like to clarify what Monterey County actually spends on Carmel Valley road maintenance.

Over the past five years, the county has spent approximately $350,000 per year in Carmel Valley for routine road maintenance. In addition, over that same period the county has spent an average of $165,000 per year on pavement management activities within the valley.

That averages about $7,500 per mile, or $515,000 per year for the 68.18 miles of road in the proposed Carmel Valley incorporation boundaries. The 1992 Carmel Valley Road Traffic Mitigation Fee Ordinance has provided additional funding specifically for road improvement purposes.

It is important to know that the county allocates the same dollars to pavement maintenance (such as maintenance, chip seal and paving) resources to all roads in the unincorporated areas, so Carmel Valley roads are maintained in balance with other county roads.

In 2005, public works staff submitted data to consultants for use in preparation of financial reports for the proposed incorporation of Carmel Valley. This data included actual historical road expenditures by the county, as well as conceptual costs for enhanced maintenance programs and area-wide road reconstruction costs.

It is important to note that Monterey County and its cities, like much of the state, do not have adequate financial resources to maintain their road systems and infrastructure in ideal condition. Incorporation, whether approved by the voters or not, will not by itself change road maintenance costs or needs.

Lew Bauman
Monterey County Administrative Officer