TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Polling Results for Proposed General Obligation Bond.
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Receive polling results and provide direction to staff regarding placing a general obligation bond on the November 3, 2020 ballot.
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Financial Stability and Resiliency
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
The District has a variety of unfunded capital and operational needs, including the infrastructure needed to meet the Innovative Clean Transit mandates to transition to zero emission, that could be realized through a revenue measure such as the bond measure tested in this poll.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
The District has entered into contract with EMC Research for public opinion services. Cost of the polling services has been included in the current year's budget. Estimated cost to place a revenue measure on the November 2020 ballot is approximately $5 million in direct election-related costs, including typesetting and translation costs in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. This amount would have to be budgeted in the FY2020-2021 budget.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The District has a variety of capital needs including aging facilities, sites that are operating at or beyond capacity, and the significant capital investment required to fulfill our obligations under the Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) Regulation from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). These capital needs are outlined in detail in the Facilities Utilization Plan, approved by the AC Transit Board of Directors on February 27, 2019. This capital program is projected to cost approximately $2.3 billion over the course of seventeen (17) years. Given the current economic crisis and its impact on various District revenue streams, new revenues will need to be identified. Polling is the first step in the process of determining whether a new revenue measure wo...
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