2000 MEASURE A PROGRAM

In November 2000, the voters in Santa Clara County approved Measure A, a 30-year half cent sales tax devoted to specified public transit capital improvement projects and operations.  It was passed by a 70.3 percent majority vote.

At the December 11, 2008 Board Workshop, VTA General Manager Michael Burns presented the Measure A Program Strategy, which provided a recommended approach to plan and budget the Program. 

Staff is recommending an approach for planning and capital budgeting for the Measure A Program that will align the Measure A capital budget with VTA’s biennial operating and capital budget approval cycle. Specifically:

1. Development of a two-year capital program for Measure A. As a part of the biennial budget process, the Board will approve a two-year capital program for the Measure A program. The development of the two-year Measure A capital program will include the definition of project development and implementation activities that will occur in the two-year budget cycle and its related estimated expenses.

2. An accounting for obligated Measure A funds. The accounting for obligated funds will include the cost for any Measure A project or program activity that allocates or commits funds past the two-year capital program budget adopted in VTA’s biennial budget. The total amount of the funds required to complete these program activities would be deducted from the Measure A Program balance of secured and projected funds from known sources. The remaining available Measure A Program balance would be reflected in this accounting.

3. Review of the “Portfolio of Plans.” As part of the Measure A Program planning and capital budgeting process, management will provide the Board with a review of the “portfolio of plans” that anticipates the advancement of the Measure A Program under a variety of financial alternatives.

This recommended approach provides for an action plan to move projects forward in the short term and understand challenges and pursue opportunities in the long-term for completing the

Measure A program. In addition, the proposed two-year capital budget and the “portfolio of plans” will satisfy the Measure A Revenue and Expenditure Plan Policy Guidance approved by the VTA Board.

Over the next two years, VTA will advance projects to a ready state and advocate for outside funding sources and matching funds to advance projects, including potential public-private partnerships.  Staff will also develop the two-year capital budget and the “portfolio of plans” For discussion at future Board workshops.  It is anticipated that staff will present the updated Measure A plan at a future workshop. The two-year capital budget would then be incorporated into VTA’s biennial budget that will be considered at the April 2009 Board Workshop and planned for adoption at the June 2009 Board Meeting.