failure to fully address our roads needs

The feasibility study highlights a deliberate decision to forgo the establishment of a dedicated roads department building to house essential equipment for maintaining our extensive road network. In evaluating this decision, two key factors come to the forefront: safety and efficiency.

 

**Safety:**
The absence of a dedicated roads department building raises concerns about the safety of road maintenance operations. Proper housing for equipment ensures that it is stored securely and can be readily accessed when needed. Without a designated facility, there is a risk of equipment exposure to the elements, vandalism, or theft. This can compromise the reliability and safety of road maintenance activities, potentially leading to delays in responding to emergencies or addressing critical issues.

 

**Efficiency:**
Efficiency in road maintenance is crucial for delivering timely and effective services to our community. A lack of dedicated infrastructure may result in inefficiencies in equipment storage, maintenance, and deployment. The time and resources spent on transporting equipment to and from temporary storage locations could be better utilized in actual road maintenance activities. A dedicated building provides a centralized hub for equipment, streamlining operations and contributing to overall efficiency.

Addressing the concern about the significant portion of costs associated with road maintenance, it is essential to evaluate the financial feasibility of the project. With a limited 5% cushion in overall projected costs and no allowance for cost increases in the next five years, the question arises: where will the funds come from for acquiring equipment and establishing housing facilities?

This financial challenge becomes even more critical when considering the long-term sustainability of the project. If road maintenance is a substantial portion of the costs, a transparent and viable funding source must be identified to ensure that services can be consistently delivered without compromising safety and efficiency. Bottom line, once again this points to tax increase.