The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) completed a comprehensive customer satisfaction assessment in July 2009. ADOT commissioned the assessment to acquire statistically valid data from residents and community leaders to help it identify short-term and long-term transportation priorities. The survey found that state residents feel: Safe on the state's highways; ADOT keeps the roads clean; ADOT keeps the landscaping well maintained; Satisfied with the Motor Vehicle Division; ADOT is moving in the right direction; Dissatisfied with condition of highway shoulders (should be improved); Dissatisfied with nighttime visibility of highway striping; Dissatisfied with the frequency of public transit where they live; and Dissatisfied with traffic flow on highways during rush hour. Both residents and community leaders said the transportation issues with the highest priorities were: Repairing and maintaining existing highways; Enhancing highway safety; and Relieving congestion on highways.

The result of an application to the Arizona Department of Transportation Planning Assistance for Rural Areas (PARA) Program to conduct a multimodal transportation study to address transportation issues in the community. The purpose of the study is to identify the most critical multimodal transportation infrastructure and service needs within the Picture Rocks study area and recommend a program of short-range (0-5 years), mid-range (6-10 years), and long-range (11-20 years) improvements.

Transportation excise tax money is statutorily restricted to street and highway purposes or transportation projects. Gila County demonstrated that it spent excise tax monies during calendar years 2009 through 2013 to address traffic safety and congestion issues and deteriorating road conditions. Also, in January 2014, the County completed the Gila County Transportation Study, which identified the most critical future transportation infrastructure needs and recommended projects to address those needs. We also determined that the County spent its excise tax monies solely for street and highway purposes or transportation projects as required by Arizona Revised Statutes §28-6392(B), and implemented all but one of our prior audit recommendations.