To

Mayor and Council

Subject

METRA TIA Budget

Initiator

Planning Department

Recommendation

Adopt the resolution authorizing the budget for METRA under the Transportation \n \n Investment Act (TIA) of 2012

Approval

Pending

Background

In July 2012, voters of this city and region, approved a one percent sales tax

for transportation projects. Those projects included transit improvements for

METRA. In order to establish a budget for these improvements, a consultant

team (Connetics Transportation Group) was hired by the City to determine what

improvements would be needed. The findings of this study were presented to the

Council on August 25, along with a detailed budget showing how the study would

be implemented.

Analysis

The study calls for the reworking of existing transit routes in the community,

while adding some new ones. Under the provisions of TIA, the funds identified

for this project may only be spent on transit related items. The budget

proposed requires the purchasing of new buses, fuel and maintenance, amenities

(shelters, ADA ramps, etc.) staffing, and consultant fees.

Financial Considerations

The budget for this project is $22.4 million. All of the funding will come

from the TIA sales tax initiative. The tax has been collected since 2013 and

will expire in 2022. The budget proposed by staff calls for a strategy to

utilize these funds that will extend the life of the funding cycle through the

year 2028. No additional city funds are proposed for this project.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement

Collection of the sales tax for this project is guaranteed through the year

2022. As not all of this funding will be available in a lump sum total, a

yearly budget review process will be needed.

Legal Considerations

TIA funding for this project can only be used for transit related items.

Recommendations/ Actions

Adopt the resolution authorizing the budget for METRA under the Transportation

Investment Act (TIA) of 2012.

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