County highway officials have estimated a $500,000 shortfall in funds for DeKalb County roads in 2006.

Bill Lorence, DeKalb County engineer, said unless more funds are created, long-term plans for road construction and maintenance will be pushed back.

The county receives 19 cents for every gallon of gas being sold, no matter what the cost, Lorence said.

For this reason, the Highway Committee has recommended an increase in the County Motor Fuel Tax.

Although the committee can only recommend the tax, many county board members have said something needs to be done to generate funding.

The number of cars and trucks on the roads continues to increase, said Ruth Anne Tobias, DeKalb county board chairwoman. There is no money to repair existing roads or build new ones.

Consumers at the pump could see an increase in the gas tax because of the road fund budget shortfall, said Steve Slack, 3rd district county board member.

“While we have enough available resources to maintain roads and bridges for the short run, the county board is being told that we don’t have enough to add any lane miles,” Slack said.

A majority of funding for local road construction and maintenance comes from the County Motor Fuel Tax, which is the amount of state gas tax apportioned to DeKalb County, Slack said.

Still, he said increasing the gas tax is not the first step the county wants to take.

Gas tax increases are not the first option, Slack said. Democrats must be satisfied that all strategies to reduce costs have been employed.

Board Vice Chairman Denny Sands (R) said increasing the MFT is not a smart solution.

“While there is and always will be a need for infrastructure improvements, looking for a new ways to raise taxes is not the solution,” Sands said. “Governments need to prioritize spending and live within their means, not increase taxes.”

He said it would be unreasonable to force consumers to pay such high increases in the cost of gas.

“Under the Democratic plan, as the price of gasoline increases, so does the tax the consumer would pay,” Sands said. “The consumer would get two increases.”

Board Member Jeff Metzger (R), 12th district, said he will oppose any kind of gas tax within the county because he represents mostly Sandwich.

“A gas tax would cause business located in my district to hurt by consumers who chose to drive to nearby Kendall or LaSalle County for cheaper product,” Metzger said.

If the Highway Committee forwards a recommendation for a gas tax increase, the county board would have to agree before it is placed before voters.