Grim report on Pueblo street conditions; City Council approves budget

About 40 percent of the 1,455 miles of streets that Pueblo maintains are in need of immediate repair.

Public works director Earl Wilkinson said at the current rate of maintenance, it would take 100 years to repairs all of the roads in Pueblo.

“Obviously, we’re fighting a losing battle,” Wilkinson told council during its Monday night work session.

Wilkinson attributed the challenge, in part, to the increasing cost of materials to repair roads. He added that materials that once cost $30 a ton now average $73 a ton.

“If status quo continues, particularly with the roadways, I think within the next 10 years we would be in very dire straits because we just do not have the money essentially to be able to do the work that needs to be done,” he said.

To maintain the roads, Wilkinson asked council to consider creating a regional transportation authority that would receive its funding from a mill levy or a sales tax. He said another option would be to create a street maintenance utility, which he said was similar in concept to a storm utility.

“We definitely have to come up with a plan of action,” said Councilman Chris Nicoll.

City Council also approved the budget during its regular meeting, with a 10 percent cut in operating costs for every department to balance the city’s budget.

Council also gave the OK for an agreement between the city and Taser International, Inc., which would enable Pueblo police officers to wear body cameras while responding to a call.