The Surplus Eliminator program was established by House Bill 312 during the 2015 Legislative session. The law states that at the end of the year, remaining funds will be split between the rainy-day fund and the Surplus Eliminator program for state transportation projects administered by the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). During the 2017 Legislative session, Idaho Law makers voted to continue the Surplus Eliminator program through Senate Bill 1206, however now the money is shared 60% to the state system and 40% to the local system for the next two years.  This year the total local share of the Surplus Eliminator fund is $11M. LHTAC will administer the local share through a Local Strategic Initiatives program. Per the law, eligible projects must be related to maintenance, and address safety and mobility.
 
At the June 16, 2017 Council meeting, Council supported staff moving forward with some basic guidelines for the Local Strategic Initiatives program. The guidelines are aimed at successfully delivering the program prior to the 2019 Legislative session; to allow LHTAC to report on how the money was spent efficiently on local roadway projects.
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Our Surplus Eliminator Program, which is called “Strategic Initiatives” in the law, will have $11 million dollars to give the local jurisdictions for maintenance and construction of local roadways.  This money will also be used for the child pedestrian safety program which we are planning to partner with ITD on. – Jeff Miles, LHTAC Administrator (more…)