Opinion

Courtesy patrol merits new look

An editorial from The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register 

WHEELING, W.Va. — As should have been clear from Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s State of the State address Wednesday he and West Virginia legislators will be focusing on money this year. A budget gap estimated at $353 million makes that imperative.

Perhaps the Courtesy Patrol program is a place lawmakers should look for savings.

There have been suggestions the patrols be either eliminated or reduced. But many Mountain State residents like them. If your vehicle is broken down along Interstate 70, it can be comforting to know that eventually, a Courtesy Patrol driver will be along to help.

For many years the program has provided the service on interstate and a few other major highways. But it does not come cheaply.

This week, state Division of Highways officials said they will renew their $3.18 million annual contract with the Citizens Conservation Corps of West Virginia to provide the patrols. A legislative audit estimated the state could do the job on its own for $1.96 million a year.

One reason some taxpayers had no problem with the CCCWV is that it is a non-profit entity. But it was pointed out last year that the “corps” has five executives who earn a combined $600,000 in salaries. The executive director is paid a whopping $349,500.

Another concern is that the Courtesy Patrol competes with the private sector. Indeed, there are few stretches of highway, even in West Virginia, where a cellphone call will not bring a tow truck within a reasonable amount of time.

DOH officials had the right idea in saying they plan to conduct another study to determine if the Courtesy Patrol is cost-effective. If they conclude it is not, the program will be eliminated.

But if a new contract is signed in May, as the DOH plans, it will be spring 2017 before any savings can be realized. As a courtesy to taxpayers, legislators should consider eliminating the program sooner.

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