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 The San Francisco County Transportation Authority is the sub-regional transportation planning and programming agency for San Francisco County. Originally created to administer the proceeds of Prop B, the first local sales tax for transportation, approved by the voters in 1989, the Authority has since been called upon to take on a number of additional roles and responsibilities mandated by state law and summarized by in the table below/above. These new roles complement the agency's original purpose and contribute to its increased effectiveness. On April 1, 2004, the Authority became the administrator of the Prop K sales tax for transportation, which superseded the original tax upon the voters approval of Prop K in November 2003. Pursuant to state law, the Authority is a separate legal entity from the City and County of San Francisco, with its own staff, budget, operating rules, policies, board and committee structure. The Authority's borrowing capacity is separate and distinct from that of the City and County of San Francisco. The Authority has also served as the San Francisco Program Manager for grants from the Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) since 1990. In this role, the Authority approves funding for transportation projects that directly benefit air quality, through reduced motor vehicle emissions. The Authority Board consists of the eleven members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, who act as Authority Commissioners. Commissioner Jake McGoldrick is Chair of the Authority Board, and Commissioner Bevan Dufty is Vice Chair. The Authority Board has three standing committees and one special-purpose select committee. | ROLE | WHAT IT IS | WHAT WE DO | | Prop K Administrator | Prop K is the local sales tax for transportation approved by San Francisco voters in November 2003. The 30-year Expenditure Plan prioritizes $2.35 B for funding and leverages another $9 B in federal, state and local funds for transportation improvements. | Administer the tax. Allocate funds to eligible projects. Monitor and expedite the delivery of Prop K projects. Prepare the Strategic Plan to guide the timing of Prop K expenditures and maximize leveraging. Optimize borrowing costs through debt issuance and funding strategy. | Congestion Management
Agency (CMA) | State legislation establishing Congestion Management Programs was adopted in 1989. The Authority was designated CMA for San Francisco County. | Prepare the long-range Countywide Transportation Plan for San Francisco. Gauge the performance of the transportation system. Prioritize and recommend local projects for state and federal funding every year, and help local agencies compete for regional transportation/land use coordination funds. | | Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) Program Manager | Funds come from a $4/yr vehicle registration fee surcharge, used for transportation projects that help to clean up the air. The Authority was designated San Francisco program manager for TFCA in 1992. | Prioritize projects for San Francisco’s local share of TFCA funds. Help local agencies compete for regional discretionary TFCA funds. Oversee implementation of TFCA projects in San Francisco. | |
