MONROE - Local governments statewide will hold simultaneous public meetings to address the state's transportation budget challenges this Thursday.

The "Turnout for Transportation" event will take place simultaneously in 71 counties and offer public forums for county and city officials, as well as members of the public, to voice their concerns about Wisconsin's transportation system.

Jeff Wunschel, Green County Highway Commissioner, said Wisconsin's transportation budget is no longer adequate to maintain its existing infrastructure.

"The cost of materials has increased in the last several years," Wunschel said, adding that the price of concrete has doubled since 2006. "But the primary ways of funding - registration fees and the gas tax - they haven't increased for years."

Because of this, the state's transportation budget is increasingly insufficient for the projects required to keep the state's roads functional.

Although Wunschel said Green County's budget woes are marginally less severe than the state's as a whole, the county still struggles to maintain its bridges and roads. The budget for the county's highway department also has not increased in 10 years.

The emphasis of the historic statewide meetings, Wunschel said, is to get local governments to work to develop a long-term solution to the ongoing budget problem.

"We need a long, sustainable future, not a Band-Aid," Wunschel said.

Members of the public and the business community are also invited to attend and share their concerns.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Green County Justice Center.