To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure - Transit Division
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
FY 2026-27 Transit Services Agreement - Mendocino Transit Authority
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Approve and authorize the Director of Public Infrastructure to execute the proposed agreement with Mendocino Transit Authority to provide transit services in the northern coastal area of Sonoma County, for a not-to-exceed amount of $180,500 for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
end
Executive Summary:
Since the early 1980’s, the Mendocino Transit Authority has provided transit service on behalf of Sonoma County Transit to the coastal communities of Point Arena, Gualala, The Sea Ranch, Jenner, Bodega Bay and Bodega. Two daily trips are provided, morning eastbound route beginning in Point Arena and connecting residents in these remote communities with destinations in Sebastopol and Santa Rosa, returning them to the coast in the afternoon via the westbound route. The requested action provides for continuation of these services in fiscal year 2026-27.
Discussion:
The recommended agreement provides for continued support for Sonoma Coast transit services provided by Mendocino Transit Authority for fiscal year 2026-27. Mendocino Transit Authority’s Route 95 provides daily service that originates in Point Arena and travels Highway 1 thru Gualala, The Sea Ranch, Jenner and Bodega Bay, then continues east to Bodega, Sebastopol and Santa Rosa, serving the Downtown Santa Rosa Transit Mall, Coddingtown Shopping Center and the Sonoma County Airport. Mendocino Transit Authority’s Route 95 primarily serves coast area residents as it travels into Santa Rosa in the morning and returns to the coast in the afternoon.
The agreement allows for reimbursement to Mendocino Transit Authority in a not to exceed amount of $180,500 for a term of one year. Each county (Sonoma and Mendocino) contributes a percentage of the operations deficit for Route 95 based on ridership. The operations deficit represents Mendocino Transit Authority’s operating costs less passenger fares. Sonoma County’s contribution percentage is 56%. Route 95 is a long-established service that has been supported by Sonoma and Mendocino counties since the 1980’s. Funding participation by the two counties provides for a cost-effective means of providing daily transit service within one of the most rural areas of Sonoma County.
The reimbursement amount of $180,500 is less than a 1% increase from the requested $180,000 in FY 2025-26. Funding for this agreement is included in the Recommended FY 2026-27 Transit Division budget and is consistent with Sonoma County Transit’s FY 2026-27 funding claim with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
05/13/25 - Board approved FY 2025-26 agreement in the amount of $180,000.
05/14/24 - Board approved FY 2024-2025 agreement in the amount of $180,000
05/09/23 - Board approved FY2023-24 agreement in the amount of $180,000
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
$180,500 |
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
|
$180,500 |
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
$180,500 |
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
|
$180,500 |
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Total costs of the proposed Agreement are estimated at $180,000, for the County’s portion of operating costs not recuperated by passenger fares. Appropriations are included in the Recommended FY 2026-27 Transit Division budget and will be funded with Transportation Development Act (TDA) and State Transit Assistance (STA) funds as requested in the annual coordinated claim.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.