In the ongoing battle against potholes and other road maintenance issues, one of the city of Coquille’s weapons of choice is a gas tax.

The tax, which is actually a charge on the business licenses of the town’s four gas stations, amounts to a 3-cent per gallon tax. The City Council approved the levy in June 2007. Collection began last September, City Finance Director Chuck Dufner said, with the city collecting about $7,000 each month.

If it continues to generate revenues at the same rate, the levy will generate about $84,000 annually, about one-third of the city’s street maintenance budget. When first proposed, the city officials thought the tax would bring in about $120,000.

“We didn’t have a good count of how many gallons were sold in Coquille,” Dufner said. “It hasn’t amounted to that.”

The city has yet to put the money to use, though that will likely change this summer, when a paving project is scheduled. Dufner isn’t sure what will be done yet, though he said it will be paid in part by gas tax receipts.

Of the 20 miles of road the city maintains, about four miles are in poor condition, Public Works Director John Higgins said. Some problem areas have been identified, but the city will have to decide where the work is needed most when choosing a project, Dufner said.