COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

April 29, 2009

BOARD MEETING DATE:

May 19, 2009

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

4/5^ths Vote

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

James C. Porter, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Public Transit Tickets Purchased for County Employees Who Take Public Transit to Commute to and from their County Job

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) to provide an appropriation in the Transportation Services Budget Unit (4830B) in the amount of $350,000 to cover payments for public transit tickets purchased for county employees who take public transit to commute to and from their County job.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Redesign our urban environment to increase vitality, expand variety, and reduce congestion.

Goal 10: Public transportation choices are convenient, affordable, accessible and safe.

The ATR requested in this report will enable the Commute Alternatives Program to purchase transit tickets for employees to implement the County commitment of reducing traffic, traffic-related air pollution, conserving energy, and improving quality of life for the community.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2008-09 Actual

FY2009-10 Target

Estimated annual reduction in CO₂ emissions due to County Employees who take transit, carpool, bike, or walk to their County job.

New Measure

4,000 metric tons

BACKGROUND:

In December 1991, the County implemented the Commute Alternatives Program (CAP) incentive program, which encourages employees to travel to and from work by taking public transit and other means that reduce the number of single occupant vehicles on the road. The Commute Alternatives Program reflects the County’s commitment to reduce roadway congestion and air pollution. Over the past eighteen years, the CAP has been highly successful, and has grown from approximately 300 participants in the first year of operation to over 1,600 participants currently.

DISCUSSION:

This Appropriation Transfer Request is needed in order to establish an appropriation in the Half Cent Transportation Fund Budget Unit to continue to pay for public transit tickets as a result of the greater than anticipated participation by County employees in the Commute Alternatives Program. Funds for this transfer will come from greater than anticipated revenues received from Measure A sales tax by the State of California. Sufficient funds will be appropriated in FY 2009-10 to cover costs related to the program.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This action will transfer an appropriation of $350,000 from sales and use tax revenue to the professional contracts category within the Half Cent Transportation Fund Budget Unit. There will be no impact to the County General Fund.