Gas taxes drop not as sharp as expected

Garth Meyer | Jul 23, 20200

The drop in state gas taxes coming to Whitman County because of less driving during the virus shutdowns appears to be lower than previously thought.

Citing a monthly report from the state CRAB (County Road Administration) board, Mark Storey, Public Works Director, estimates the local shortfall at $800,000, compared to the previous $1.2 million.

The estimates, drawn from traffic counts in the Puget Sound area, turned out less than the actual driving that took place.

Overall, statewide gas taxes provide about $4.5 million per year to Whitman County for road work.

“We are a receiver county,” said Storey, a member of the CRAB board. “We receive about $2 for every $1 we send to Olympia, and at any point, they could decide to change that.”