Tamarack and the turnpike authority

Okay, I've set foot in Tamarack maybe twice in my life. Neither time was an exceptionally memorable event. I'm not heavy into arts and crafts stuff, but I am into wanting my money's worth each time I pay that $1.25 toll on the West Virginia Turnpike.

On Monday, legislative auditors released their findings of the nonhighway activities of the Parkways, Economic Development and Tourism Authority. Here are some of their comments for the benefit of people who wonder what they get in exchange for their $1.25 tolls.

"When all of the operating expenses associated with the Tamarack system are considered, the revenue raised by Tamarack is insufficient to cover all of its operating expenses and its bond payment. The revenue shortfall is well over $2 million annually. Tamarack has not been financially self-sufficient since its inception in 1996. ... The growth in the revenue deficiency of the past three years is primarily the result of the expansion of Tamarack to include the Conference Center, which opened in 2003. The Conference Center revenues are also insufficient to cover the added costs of staff and bond payments. The revenue deficiencies do not include
depreciation of the Tamarack facility. Current depreciation is close to $1 million a year. After 10 years of operation, the facility will likely require major repairs.

"The Parkways Authority is under pressure to raise toll prices. This pressure would be lessen to some extent if it were not for the financial burden of the Tamarack system. If the Parkways Authority cannot make changes to make Tamarack a profitable endeavor, consideration should be given to using the Tamarack facility for alternative purposes."

Another section of the report deals with other turnpike authority investments and donations. The people who wrote the audit said that when it comes to the investments and donations, the turnpike authority operates on the fringes of its legal authority. Or, in the polite language of the audit, "The Parkways Authority should discontinue investing in projects
that do not fall within the enabling legislation."

I use the turnpike maybe two or three times a year. Considering the curves and the grades, I don't get my money's worth from the tolls I pay. And when I'm up that way, Tamarack is not on my list of places to visit. But the next time I'm near Beckley, I'll have to visit Tamarack again to see whether it's worth the tolls I pay.