Measure A Local Streets and Roads Funding

2009 marks an important milestone for the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) as the 1988 voter-approved Measure A half-cent sales tax initiative sunsets and a 30-year extension begins assuring local transportation funding until 2039.  One of Measure A’s most important responsibilities is providing funding to cities and the county for street and road projects and maintenance.  The amount of money provided to each city and the county is based on formulas identified in the voter-approved Measure A Ordinance and Expenditure Plan.  The funding received is significant and during the first Measure A, more than $620 million was returned to cities and the county as part of the local streets and roads program. 

The formulas for Western Riverside and the Coachella Valley differ slightly but include a mix of population or dwelling units and sales tax generation in arriving at a total for each jurisdiction.  The new ordinance includes a few changes in the amount returned to local jurisdictions and adds new requirements for eligibility – especially for residents in Western Riverside County.

For the Palo Verde Valley area, funding allocations will continue to the city of Blythe and the county based on a formula weighted 75% on population and 25% Measure A revenues generated within each jurisdiction.

For Coachella Valley, 35% of Measure A revenues is returned to local cities and the county for funding of local street and road improvements.  Cities and the county must participate in the Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) program to assist in financing of the priority regional arterial system.

In comparison to the Coachella Valley, the funding program in western Riverside County has changed significantly with the passage of the 2009 Measure A.  The original Measure A in 1988 did not include a TUMF program or an arterial program in Western Riverside County and the amount of Measure A returned to local jurisdictions was established at 40% of all Measure A revenue.  The 2009 Measure lowers the percentage to approximately 29%, creates an arterial highway program, and requires participation in the Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan as well as the Western Riverside County TUMF program.

In order to receive the funding, all three geographical areas in the county require a five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP is annually updated with public participation by each city and the county. The Commission took action at its September 9th meeting to distribute Measure A local streets and roads funding to eligible cities as the revenue becomes available.