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1. What is a transportation user fee?

The Transportation User Fee (TUF) is a fee assessed to residents and businesses, based on the traffic levels generated by each dwelling unit or business.

2. Why does Taylor need a TUF?

Investing and maintaining Taylor’s streets and infrastructure is a top priority that pays dividends in the long run. For far too long, roughly 50 years, the deterioration of Taylor’s streets has been an issue at the forefront of public debate in our City. The amount of money it would cost to fix all the “poor” rated streets in Taylor is upwards of $30-60 million dollars since 57% of the streets are rated “poor.” The City’s general fund currently cannot support such a large expense and many different options were considered, with the help of the community, to come up with a solution to solve the street problem. Ultimately, a transportation user fee was presented, collaborated upon with the public and formally adopted on Feb. 11, 2016 by City Council.

3. What are the current rates for the TUF?

Residents who are within the City limits of Taylor will be assessed a flat fee of $8 per month on their utility bills. Commercial rates will be split into 6 tiers with corresponding flat rates for each tier as follows:
• Tier 1- $25
• Tier 2 - $33
• Tier 3 - $50
• Tier 4 - $66
• Tier 5 - $84
• Tier 6 - $133

4. How do you classify my business?

The initial method generating the trip factors was based on type of use categories as defined by the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual, 9th Edition. Rather than use the numerous, varying amounts from the trip generation factors, the City chose to compile a trip factor index. The trip factor index combines similar businesses into one category and assigns the lowest trip factor of the businesses in that category. The trip factors listed in the trip factor index are derived from the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual, 9th Edition and are the number of trips anticipated to and from a property per its land use and established units.
The City has chosen to group businesses into tiers (rate categories) based on the base trip rate. For each nonresidential property, except lodging, schools, and outdoor recreation, the building area, in square foot, on the property will be multiplied by the appropriate trip factor from the trip factor index in to arrive at a monthly base trip rate. Properties fitting in the lodging, school, and outdoor recreation categories will calculate the monthly base trip rate of the property by multiplying the appropriate trip factor by the quantity of the unit specified in the trip factor index. The monthly base trip rate value will determine which tier the nonresidential property is classified. For each non-residential customer, the building area on the property will be multiplied by the appropriate trip generation rate (as determined by the zoning) to arrive at a value. This value will be compared to ranges that define whether the customer is Tier 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.
A formula of using the monthly base trip rate in the City of Taylor Transportation User Fee Schedule and land uses established categories for nonresidential customers. The trip factors listed in the trip factor index are derived from the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual, 9th Edition and are the number of trips anticipated to and from a property per its land use and established units. For each nonresidential property, except lodging, schools, and outdoor recreation, the building area, in square foot, on the property will be multiplied by the appropriate trip factor from the trip factor index in to arrive at a monthly base trip rate. Properties fitting in the lodging, school, and outdoor recreation categories will calculate the monthly base trip rate of the property by multiplying the appropriate trip factor by the quantity of the unit specified in the trip factor index. The monthly base trip rate value will determine which tier the nonresidential property is classified. For each non-residential customer, the building area on the property will be multiplied by the appropriate trip generation rate (as determined by the zoning) to arrive at a value. This value will be compared to ranges that define whether the customer is Tier 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

5. How long will the TUF be in place?

The ordinance outlines a three (3) year review period to periodically review the ordinance and TUF.

6. When will the TUF be implemented?

The TUF is scheduled to be implemented beginning June 1, 2016.

7. What will the money collected be used for?

The projected revenue from the TUF of more than $700,000/annually will be split between paying for a percentage of the repair of poor rated streets and the maintenance of all streets, with a small amount for sidewalk repairs.
The ordinance outlining the TUF (Ordinance 2016-03) specifically states that a transportation fund will be established beginning June 1, 2016 where all fees will be deposited for the purpose of construction and maintenance of the transportation system.

8. How will I know when my street will be fixed?

Because of the extent of the streets in disrepair, project prioritization will take some time to develop. As soon as a project list is available, it will be published and shared by the City.