The San Mateo County Transportation Authority adopted its budget June 5, showing a projected surplus for the upcoming fiscal year.
The $19 million anticipated surplus for fiscal year 2026 — which begins next month — is slightly higher than previous estimates and takes into account more investment income from Measure A, the county’s half-cent sales tax. Total expenditures are also expected to be lower from last year as well due to one-time funds.
“The updated total proposed uses for fiscal [year] 2026 are $187 million, a $29 million decrease from fiscal year 2025,” Budgets Manager Cleo Liao said.
From highway work to bike lanes and grade separations, the TA is charged with funding transportation-related projects throughout the county, disbursing sales tax income generated from measures A and W. The surplus may be particularly useful, as other transit agencies project long-term structural deficits and state and federal funding remain uncertain.
Though staff doesn’t anticipate significant drops in sales tax revenue, many cities and agencies are not projecting that revenue stream to grow significantly in the short term. The board will also eventually weigh in on whether it plans to put Measure A up for renewal during the next election or instead participate in a Bay Area transit sales tax measure that would at least include San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
Currently, about 80% of Measure A funds go toward infrastructure-related projects, however, depending on its successful renewal and direction of county officials, the sales tax could eventually start to go toward closing Caltrain’s widening fiscal cliff. Starting in fiscal year 2027, Caltrain is projecting a $67 million deficit, slightly higher than originally predicted. By fiscal year 2034, the shortfall is expected to reach $82 million.
“This budget is both a roadmap and our commitment to deliver safe, efficient and forward-looking transportation options for San Mateo County,” Carlos Romero, TA board chair and East Palo Alto councilmember, said in a press release. “We are leveraging every available dollar to improve multimodal access while responsibly phasing out the Original Measure A program in a way that honors voter intent.”
SamTrans also recently adopted its two-year budget June 5, with a nearly $5 million surplus for fiscal year 2026. By fiscal year 2027 — beginning July 2026 — the agency is projecting a shortfall around $4 million.
(650) 344-5200 ext. 102
Daily Journal staff
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