Drafter
Clerk 09/03/2026
title
A MOTION acknowledging the receipt of the transit funding needs report in compliance with the 2026-2027 Biennial Budget Ordinance, Ordinance 20023, Section 116, Proviso P7, as amended by Ordinance 20086, Section 76.
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WHEREAS, the 2026-2027 Biennial Budget Ordinance, Ordinance 20023, Section 116, Proviso P7, as amended by Ordinance 20086, Section 76, states that $100,000 of the moneys appropriated to transit from the public transportation operating fund shall not be expended or encumbered until the executive provides a briefing and transmits a transit funding needs report together with a motion acknowledging receipt of the report, and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 20023, Section 116, Proviso P7, as amended by Ordinance 20086, Section 76, directs that the report shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
A. An estimate of the Metro transit department's 2028-2029, 2030-2031, and 2032-2033 biennium total reserve levels, defined as the sum of the individual reserves and designations in the reserves category of the public transportation fund, which are expected to be below the level required in the King County comprehensive fund management policies adopted through Motion 15250 and the fund management policies for the public transportation fund adopted through Ordinance 19863, including, but not limited to, information on;
1. Potential impacts to the Metro transit department's operating budget, including, but not limited to, transit service, staffing, or operating procedures; and
2. Potential impacts to the Metro transit department's infrastructure capital fund or revenue fleet fund, including, but not limited to, reducing, reprioritizing, modifying, or delaying planned capital investments or planned fleet purchases;
B. A description of the Metro transit department's operational and capital funding needs, including, but not limited, to the funding needed to:
1. Provide transit service in accordance with the King County Metro Service Guidelines adopted through Ordinance 19367;
2. Strengthen the Metro transit department's operational capacity through efforts to recruit, train, and retain employees;
3. Implement the Metro Connects long-range plan adopted through Ordinance 19367;
4. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions through transit use and by continuing the transition to a zero-emission revenue bus fleet; and
5. Implement the recommendations of the King County regional transit safety task force in coordination with regional partners to ensure the safety and security of Metro transit department employees and passengers; and
C. A description of the possible funding sources that could be used to address the funding needs identified in subsection B. of this proviso, with annual estimates of the amount of revenue that could be generated, from King County, from the King County transportation district either through councilmanic or voter-approved funding sources, from debt financing, and from other sources;
WHEREAS, the executive should give a briefing to the transit, economy, and environment committee or its successor by May 31, 2026. The executive should file the report and motion required by this proviso no later than September 3, 2026, with the clerk of the council, who shall retain an electronic copy and provide an electronic copy to all councilmembers, the council chief of staff, and the lead staff for the transit, economy, and environment committee, and
WHEREAS, the Metro transit department briefed the transit, economy, and environment committee on June 16, 2026 and has compiled the required information and the executive has transmitted the transit funding needs report by September 3, 2026, which is included as Attachment A to this motion;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
The council hereby acknowledges receipt of the transit funding needs
report, Attachment A to this motion, as required by Ordinance 20023, Section 116 Proviso P7, as amended by Ordinance 20086, Section 76.