This year, the city of Burlington will receive an additional $50,000 from Powell Bill funds, a North Carolina Department of Transportation program that is distributing $138 million this year to more than 500 North Carolina municipalities for purposes of local road maintenance. NCDOT distributed the first half of the money at the beginning of October and Burlington's funds will total $1.4 million.

"Funding provided by the Powell Bill helps cities and towns cover the costs of construction, maintenance and needed repairs for the streets and sidewalks they maintain," said North Carolina Transportation Secretary Gene Conti in a press release. "With the budget situation many of these communities face, this is a way to provide valuable assistance so they can maintain and improve the safety and condition of their transportation systems."

The money for Powell Bills comes from revenue generated from gas tax and highway user fees. Seventy–five percent of funds are allocated based on population and 25 percent is based on mileage of non-state roads maintained in a given area. The money is then allocated to municipalities to use at their digression and is not for specific projects.

"Powell Bill funds are something we get every year for general maintenance," said Nolan Kirkman, Burlington public works director. "We always plan to receive the money."

The amount allocated to Burlington increased by almost $50,000 from last year. The money is meant exclusively for local road maintenance, as state roads are maintained through separate financing, according to Kirkman.

There are no specified plans as of yet, but the new repairs cannot come soon enough for some Burlington residents. Marjorie Loy said she has noticed some city roads have been in disrepair.

"I hope they use some of the money to fix part of Southern High School Road," she said. "I've seen potholes all over that thing."

Although there are many road projects currently underway in Burlington, the Powell Bill funds will go mostly toward future projects and repairs, according to Kirkman.

Burlington is among 21 cities that received more than $1 million. The biggest recipients of funds this year were Charlotte ($18.6 million), Raleigh ($9.8 million) and Greensboro ($7 million).

"It's something I think we could use," Loy said. "I hope they spend that money wisely"