8E Consent 2012 0305 - Laserfiche WebLink

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File Number: 12-088 While the existing measure will remain intact through 2022, the 2012 Alameda County Transportation Expenditure Plan (TEP) was developed for three reasons: • The capital projects in the existing measure have been largely completed, with many projects implemented almost 10 years ahead of schedule. Virtually all of the project funds in the existing measure are committed to these projects. Without a new plan, the County will be unable to fund any new major projects to address pressing mobility needs, due to significant decreases in transportation funding from state and federal sources. • Due to the economic recession, all sources of transportation funding have declined. The decline in revenues has had a particularly significant impact on transportation services that depend on annual sales tax revenue distributions for their ongoing operations. The greatest impacts have been to the programs that are highly important to Alameda County residents and businesses, including: o Reductions in local funding to transit operators, combined with state and federal reductions, have resulted in higher fares and reductions in service hours. o Reductions in local funding to programs for seniors and persons with disabilities have resulted in cuts in these programs, while the populations depending on them continue to increase. o Local road maintenance programs have been cut, and road conditions have deteriorated for all types of users. o Bicycle and pedestrian system improvements and maintenance of pathways continue to deteriorate, making it more difficult to walk and bike as an alternative to driving. Since the recession began, bus services in Alameda County have been cut significantly, and the gap between road maintenance needs and available funding is at an all-time high. Analysis The new transportation expenditure plan will provide significant investments in projects and programs. The 2012 TEP will double investments in transit services, allowing operators in Alameda County to close local funding gaps created by declining state and federal revenue, keep needed services in place, and restore service cuts for many providers. A key feature of the local transportation sales tax is that it cannot be used for any purpose other than local transportation needs. It cannot be taken by the State or by any other governmental agency under any circumstance, and over the life of this plan can only be used for the purposes described in the plan or the plan as amended. The ballot measure supported by this plan will augment and extend the existing half -cent sales tax for transportation in Alameda County, authorizing an additional half -cent sales tax through 2022, and extending the full cent in perpetuity. Recognizing that transportation needs, technology, and circumstances change over time, the expenditure plan covers the period from approval in 2012 and subsequent sales tax collections for an unlimited period, unless otherwise terminated by the voters. The result will be the programming of a total of $7.7 billion in new transportation funding during the first thirty years. Voters will have the opportunity to review and approve comprehensive updates to this plan at least once prior to the end of 2042 and every 20 years thereafter. City of San Leandro Page 2 Printed on 2/28/2012