To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2250
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Agreement for “Go Sonoma” Fare-Free Transit Funding
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Delegate authority to the Director of Public infrastructure to execute the proposed Cooperative Funding Agreement with the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, allocating Go Sonoma Fare-Free Transit Program funds annually to Sonoma County Transit for its Youth Fare-Free program and local fare-free routes.
end
Executive Summary:
The Transit Division of the Sonoma County Department of Public Infrastructure (PI) recommends entering into a cooperative agreement with the Sonoma County Transportation and Climate to secure annual funding in support of the County’s Youth Fare-Free Program and other local fare-free transit routes.
Discussion:
Sonoma County Transit established its fare-free program in July 2018 on local route 24 in partnership with the City of Sebastopol, and on local route 67 in partnership with the City of Healdsburg. The program expanded in September 2018 in partnership with the Town of Windsor on local route 66. In January 2019, the program expanded again in partnership with the City of Sonoma on local route 32, and on County routes 32 in the Sonoma Valley area and route 28 in the Lower Russian River area. The program expanded again in July 2024 in partnership with the cities of Rohnert Park and Cotati on local routes 10, 12 and 14. All of Sonoma County Transit’s local routes, including local paratransit trips, continue to be fare-free for all riders with annual contributions made from respective jurisdictions.
In addition, in 2015 the County began making contributions enabling veterans to ride fare-free on all of Sonoma County Transit’s routes, and both Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College began making contributions allowing college students ride fare-free on all routes. Beginning in July 2023, Sonoma County Transit received an award of Climate Resiliency Funds to provide fare-free rides for youth in kindergarten through grade 12 on all routes for a two-year period. Climate Resiliency Funds for the Youth Fare-Free program ended in June 2025.
However, a portion of Go Sonoma funds from a ¼ sales tax for transportation administered by the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) is now available to continue the Youth Fare-Free program and other local fare-free routes during the life of the sales tax.
To receive the Go Sonoma Funds, staff is requesting your Board authorize the proposed cooperative funding agreement with SCTA.
Strategic Plan:
NA
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
10/25/22: Board Approved Climate Resilience Funding Round # 2 Recommendations
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$340,000 |
$350,000 |
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$340,000 |
$350,000 |
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
$340,000 |
$350,000 |
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$340,000 |
$350,000 |
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The Go Sonoma funds have been incorporated into the adopted FY 2025-26 Transit budget. These funds are designated to offset eligible operational expenditures, supporting the continued delivery of transit services throughout the fiscal year.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Cooperative Funding Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A