Agenda Item # 3
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
10/13/2015
Agenda Report # 35
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: METRA TIA Budget
INITIATED BY: Planning Department
Recommendation: Approval is requested to adopt the resolution authorizing the
budget for METRA under the Transportation Investment Act (TIA) of 2012.
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.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADOPTION OF THE METRA BUDGET UNDER THE
TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT ACT (TIA) OF 2012.
WHEREAS, on July 31, 2012, the voters of Columbus and the River Valley region
voted to approve a one percent sales tax increase for the purpose of funding
new transportation projects in this area; and,
WHEREAS, the project "Intercity Express Bus Park and Ride Service" to help
improve the transit service in our community, was one of the projects approved
by the voters; and,
WHEREAS, a feasibility study has been performed and the budget for implementing
this project was presented to Council on August 25, 2015.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the proposed implementation budget of $22,400,000 as mandated by the TIA
referendum, be adopted as presented with the following items being funded:
Fixed Route Costs (Buses, Drivers Salaries) $12,447,973
Dial-a-Ride Costs ( Buses, Drivers Salaries) $ 3,566,940
Staffing $ 1,975,363
Fuel/Maintenance $ 3,450,000
Amenities (Shelters, ADA Ramps, etc.) $ 664,224
Consultant Fees $ 295,500
TOTAL IMPLEMENTATION COSTS $22,400,000
Funding for this program shall come from the TIA funds, and progress on the
project shall be reviewed annually as part of the overall City budget review
process.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________ day of _____________, 2015 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _____________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Buck voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
______________________________ _________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
Attachments
No attachments for this document.