YOUR TAXES AT WORK

SC Department of Transportation chief Christy Hall was in a bragging mood.

At last month’s DOT Commission meeting, she announced the agency had won 3 “President’s Transportation Awards” from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

“I’m proud to announce that once again – once again – the South Carolina DOT has demonstrated that we are one of the best DOTs in the nation,” Hall told commissioners.

“We are a leader in excellence and innovation.”

Commission chairman Ben Davis echoed her.

“I know that there are still grandstanders around the state who find one little issue that they want to raise about DOT,” he said, without giving specifics.

“I think we all can say we’re proud with what’s going on.”

What neither Davis nor Hall mentioned was that DOT annually contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to the national transportation officials’ organization – called AASHTO.

Hall is a voting member of the AASHTO board of directors.

A review of state comptroller general records found that since fiscal year 2015, DOT has paid a total of more than $3.3 million to the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit.

That includes $1.9 million for “Contractual Services – Data Process Services” and “Supplies and Materials – Prgms & Lic”; $1.1 million for membership dues and fees; and at least $50,000 in travel-related expenses.

From fiscal year 2015 through last fiscal year, total annual payments to AASHTO ranged from $629,541 to $1,227,701.

So far this fiscal year, which started July 1, DOT has paid $105,950.

In 2014, comptroller general records showed that DOT paid AASHTO more than $10.8 million since 1994.

Federal income-tax records show that AASHTO, whose membership includes all 50 state DOTs, received nearly $77.5 million in total revenues in the tax year that ended June 30, 2017.

Its executive director, Frederick “Bud” Wright, received nearly $418,000 that year. Annual salaries for 10 other top officers ranged from $152,000 to about $293,000.

In comparison, Hall’s current annual salary as DOT secretary is $187,200.

AASHTO spokesman Tony Dorsey said in 2014 that they:

• Provide computer software to “help states manage their projects.”

• Certify labs used by states to ensure materials meet quality and safety standards.

Dorsey this week declined to answer written questions about payments. Hall did not respond to a written message.

Brundrett is news editor of The Nerve. Contact him at 803-254-4411 or rick@thenerve.org .