Sacramento Transportation Authority - 6/18/26

The Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA) meeting on June 18, 2026, focused on the adoption of the annual budget, a significant performance audit of Measure A funds, and the advancement of a major toll lane project on Interstate 5. Measure A Smart Growth Funds and Oversight A major point of discussion involved Item 5, the strategy for allocating Measure A Smart Growth Funds. • Allocation Strategy: The Board debated a formulaic approach that provides each agency with a set-aside for projects, compared to a competitive "first come-first serve" pot. Executive Director Kevin Bewsey noted that 22.5% of these funds are specifically set aside for transit, with the remaining 77.5% going to cities and counties. • Procedural Delay: An initial motion to approve this approach failed. However, after a motion to reconsider was passed to ensure agencies did not miss July grant deadlines, the item was ultimately approved. Budget and Performance Audit • FY 2026-27 Final Budget: The Board unanimously adopted a balanced final budget for the upcoming fiscal year . CFO Dustin Purinton stated there were no material changes since the preliminary budget was seen in May . • Compliance Audit: The Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee (ITOC) presented a two-year performance and compliance audit. While no "significant findings" were identified overall, there were specific exceptions: • City of Isleton: Could not provide support for testing due to total staff turnover; their funds may be escrowed if they do not come into compliance by June 2027. • Cities of Folsom and Sacramento: Noted for "reporting mismatches" between their records and STA data. I-5 Managed Lanes Project • The Board authorized several actions to advance the I-5 Managed Lanes Project, which aims to add a High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) lane from downtown Sacramento to the International Airport. • Project Function: Under the "HOT 3+" model, vehicles with three or more occupants can use the lane for free, while others have the option to pay a variable toll based on miles traveled. • Regional Coordination: The project is a partnership between Caltrans, SACOG, STA, and CARTA (Capital Area Regional Tolling Authority), which will operate the tolling component. • Board Concerns: Directors discussed the importance of equity studies and the need to coordinate this project with studies regarding the potential "covering" of I-5 near the Crocker Art Museum. Executive Director’s Report Executive Director Kevin Bewsey highlighted ongoing efforts to engage the community and secure regional funding: • Community Listening Sessions: STA is conducting sessions in areas like Arden Arcade, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova to identify local transportation priorities and educate the public on declining gas tax revenues and high construction costs . Grant Applications: STA is coordinating regional applications for Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) programs due in November, including a multimodal project for the US-50 corridor and a $115 million application for the Placer-Sacramento Gateway . The meeting adjourned at 2:24 PM .