TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Salvador Llamas, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: FY 2026-27 Appropriations Limit Adoption
ACTION ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider the adoption of Resolution No. 26-013 establishing the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2026-27 at $756,028,804.
Staff Contact:
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Financial Stability and Resiliency
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
Establishing the District’s Appropriations Limit is necessary for compliance with state law.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no budgetary or fiscal impact from this report.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
On July 8, 2026, the Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 26-012 giving notice of the scheduled adoption of an Appropriations Limit for FY 2026-27. The notice and supporting documentation must be available to the public at least 15 days prior to the adoption of an Appropriations Limit and were posted on the District’s website and in the General Office lobby on July 9th. The documents are on file with the District Secretary’s Office.
The District is required to make the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2026-27, along with supporting documentation, available to the public. This requirement stems from Article XIII B of the California Constitution, which sets annual spending limits for the State and local governments. Approved by voters in 1979 as Proposition 4 - commonly referred to as the "Gann Initiative" - Article XIII B restricts the amount of tax revenue that state and local entities can expend each year, using Fiscal Year 1978-79 as the baseline. In 1980, the State Legislature reinforced this requirement by enacting Section 7910 of the Government Code, which mandates that each local governing body must adopt a resolution establishing the appropriations limit for the upcoming fiscal year.
The appropriations limit for any given fiscal year is based on the prior year's limit, adjusted for changes in population and a cost-of-living factor. Each May, the California Department of Finance publishes the data necessary for this calculation (see Exhibits A & B to Resolution No. 26-013). This includes: (a) the California Per Capita Personal Income Index, which determines the cost-of-living adjustment, and (b) population change figures by county, cities, and unincorporated areas, which provide the population adjustment. Special districts required by law to calculate their appropriations limit must include this calculation in their annual audit.
The Appropriations Limit Calculation
For the District, the FY 2026-27 Appropriations Limit allowable growth factor was positively influenced by the 4.95 percent annual growth rate in the California Per Capita Personal Income Index and combined 0.999 percent annual growth rate in the Population Factor. The rates for both factors were the result of continued growth in the State and Bay Area economy, despite small negative percent change in population for both Alameda County (-0.099) and Contra Costa County (-0.310). The calculation of the appropriations limit is included as Attachment 2.
Staff recommends the adoption of Resolution No. 26-013 as presented.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
The advantage of adopting Resolution No. 26-013 is that the District will remain complaint with State requirements. There are no identified disadvantages associated with adoption of Resolution No. 26-013.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
The Board could opt not to adopt Resolution No. 26-013; however, this is not recommended as this would result in the District not being compliant with State law.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
SR 26-252 Appropriations Limit Notice
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Resolution No. 26-013 - FY27 Appropriation Limit
2. Exhibit A & B Population and CPI Calculation FY27
Prepared by:
Mary Archer, Budget Manager
Approved/Reviewed by:
Richard Oslund, Director of Management & Budget
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Aimee L. Steele, General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer