Budgeting and Appropriations

Annual budget; fiscal year begins July 1.

Bonding or Pay-as-You-Go

GDOT has been restricted to using only what is in the budget, so that the full amount for a contract must be encumbered in the current year's budget, whether or not the project will fully pay out in the current year. The FY 2011 budget included $200 million in general obligation bonds; the debt service on these bonds, however, must be paid back with motor fuel funds.

State-Level Funding Provided for DOT Budgets

FY 2011 (approved): $682 million*
FY 2010: $693 million*
FY 2009: $865 million*
FY 2008: $833 million*
*These numbers include GDOT appropriations only. A portion of motor fuel receipts also is allocated to debt service on general obligation bonds. Because this money is appropriated directly to the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, not to GDOT, it is not included here.

Allocation of Federal Transportation Funds to the DOT

Federal transportation funds are allocated to GDOT as a state legislative appropriation at the program level, by budgetary program (State Highway Construction, State Highway Maintenance, etc.).

Allocation of State Transportation Funds to the DOT

State transportation funds also are allocated to GDOT as a state legislative appropriation at the program level. Debt service for general obligation bonds paid with motor fuel tax revenues is taken off the top.

Traditional State Funding and Finance for Highways

Fuel taxes; truck oversize permit fees; interest income; general obligation bonds.

State Funding and Finance for Other Modes

Transit, aviation, rail, ports and intermodal: General funds. Bridges: Fuel taxes.

Innovative Transportation Funding and Finance

GARVEE bonds; Build America Bonds; state infrastructure bank (state-only capitalized); PPPs (authorized in statute); design-build (authorized in statute); traffic camera fees; impact fees; advance construction.

Dedicated/Restricted State Funds and Revenues

The state constitution restricts use of motor fuel revenues to roads and bridges, except in case of invasion or major catastrophe declared by the governor (Ga. Const. art. III, §9 ¶VI(b)). Transportation-related revenues are deposited into the State Public Transportation Fund, which must be used for certain transportation purposes (Ga. Code Ann. §§32-5-20 et seq.).

DOT Authorized to Retain Surplus Funds

Yes, for some funds. GDOT can retain excess motor fuel funds and amend them into the GDOT budget in a subsequent fiscal year.

Legislative Approval Required to Move Funds Between Projects

Yes, for some funds. GDOT cannot move state motor fuel funds from one program to another without legislative approval. Federal funds can be moved between programs with the approval of the governor's Office of Planning and Budget.

Transportation Funding Allocations through Local Aid

Between 10 percent and 20 percent of the state motor fuel tax must be appropriated by the General Assembly to the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant program. Funds are distributed to local governments by a formula that state statute requires the director of planning to create within certain guidelines (Ga. Code Ann. §32-5-27). The formula used is based on centerline miles and population.