title
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Solano Transportation Authority to claim up to $1.06 million of Solano County's Transportation Development Act Article 8 and Article 4/4.5 funds for FY2025/26 to provide specialized transit services
body
Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution (Attachment A) authorizing the Solano Transportation Authority to claim up to $1.06 million of Solano County's Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 8 and Article 4/4.5 funds for FY2025/26 to provide specialized transit services.
SUMMARY:
In 2010, Solano County partnered with the seven cities within the county to provide cooperative countywide paratransit services to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) eligible riders. In 2014, the Solano Transportation Authority (STA) assumed oversight of the countywide intercity paratransit services and expanded the ridership over the last decade to include seniors, veterans, and more recently for those who need transportation to Superior Court appointments. STA also provides low-income opportunities for ridership.
STA has been managing these specialized mobility service programs, summarized in Attachment B, utilizing a significant portion of the County’s annual TDA fund revenues. Given the need to provide the variety of these mobility programs, the Department of Resource Management is recommending that the Board adopt the resolution which authorizes STA to claim the County’s TDA funds in FY2025/26 for these services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The County’s current annual TDA allocation revenues have increased to approximately $1.06 million per year which are authorized to be expended by the STA with this resolution. There is no impact on the Road Fund or General Fund. The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Transportation Development Act was enacted in 1971 by the California Legislature to ensure a continuing statewide commitment to public transportation and the law imposed a one-quarter-cent tax on retail sales within each county for this purpose. Proceeds are returned to counties based on the amount of tax collected and are apportioned within the county based on population. To obtain TDA funds, local jurisdictions must submit requests to regional transportation agencies that review the claims for consistency with TDA requirements. Solano County agencies submit TDA claims to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). STA currently utilizes TDA funds to provide countywide services such as the Intercity Taxi Card Program, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) assessments, Medical Trip Concierge Program through GO-GO Grandparents, and Veterans Mobility Programs. STA implemented the Equitable Access for Justice Program in 2023 that provides transportation services for eligible Solano County Superior Court jurors, litigants, and justice-involved persons. The Equitable Access for Justice Program includes a match-funding requirement from the Courts. Attachment B provides statistics on the Solano Mobility Programs.
While the TDA claim may result in $1.06 million in program service delivery by STA, there is most often an unspent balance at the end of the fiscal year due to recent downturns in general transit usage. The Department of Resource Management is planning several future projects that have important transit elements that may also utilize these funds and will likely utilize the County’s TDA fund balance. The projects include the Fairgrounds Mobility Hub, Suisun Valley Farm-To-Market Phase 4, and pedestrian improvement projects in the unincorporated Vallejo area. The Department of Resource Management along with STA staff will monitor project and program needs over the next few years and return to the Board with updated annual claim requests.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt the resolution. This is not recommended because Solano County's TDA funds would not be available to maintain the variety of mobility programs for low-income, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and the Solano County Superior Court’s Equitable Access to Justice Pilot Program.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County staff have worked with staff from Solano Transportation Authority (STA) to coordinate services and funding on these various programs.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION