Press Release
Summit County Engineer Highlights Growing Infrastructure Funding Challenges
May 29, 2026 - Summit County, OH
Summit County Engineer Alan Brubaker, P.E., P.S. would like to draw attention to increasing financial pressures facing local infrastructure systems, as counties across the nation grapple with rising costs and constrained revenues. A recent opinion article published by Governing.com underscores these challenges, highlighting the growing gap between the need for safe, reliable roads and the funding available to maintain them.
Locally, the Summit County Engineer’s Office reflects this national trend. In 2025, the office operated with approximately $19 million in tax revenue and approximately $20 million in operating expenses and capital improvement projects.
While revenues increased modestly by 1.5% from 2024 to 2025, this short-term gain does not reflect the broader financial picture. Since 2021, revenues have declined by 5.13%, even as the cost of living, construction materials, equipment, and contracted services have risen significantly.
“This is not a challenge unique to Summit County, it’s happening across the country,” said Summit County Engineer Alan Brubaker, P.E., P.S. “We are committed to maintaining safe and reliable roads and bridges, but the reality is that costs are rising faster than revenues. That gap continues to put pressure on long-term infrastructure sustainability.”
The Governing opinion highlights how counties nationwide are increasingly responsible for maintaining large portions of the transportation network, often without corresponding growth in funding. As inflation and construction costs continue to climb, local agencies are being forced to do more with less.
Despite these challenges, the Summit County Engineer’s Office continues to prioritize responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, strategic planning, and targeted investments to maximize the impact of available resources.
The office encourages residents and stakeholders to learn more about these national trends and their local impact by reading the full article below.
