Sacramento Transportation Authority Meeting – March 2, 2026

The Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA) met on March 2, 2026, to elect officers, approve consent items, consider interim financing for the I Street Bridge Replacement Project, and provide direction on the future of the Sacramento Abandoned Vehicle Service Authority (SASFA). The meeting was called to order at approximately 12:52 PM and adjourned at 2:27 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously without discussion or public comment.

Election of Chair and Vice Chair for Calendar Year 2026

• Vice Chair Raithel was nominated and elected as Chair. Director Hume was nominated and elected as Vice Chair. Both votes were unanimous (recorded voice votes).

Discussion Item: I Street Bridge Replacement Project Interim Financing (Item 13)

• Staff (Dustin and Darren Hodge, PFM) presented a revised financing plan. The line of credit need was reduced from $165 million to $95 million due to increased annual reimbursement caps from Caltrans. The master agreement authorizes the Executive Director to execute an interim financing agreement with the City of Sacramento and solicit proposals from commercial banks. Repayment is secured by Measure A sales tax revenues but isolated to the City of Sacramento's share. Interest and fees estimated at $10–11 million, to be borne by the City of Sacramento.
• Board members (Directors Talamantes, Hume, Pluckebaum, Dickinson, and Mayor Pro Tem) expressed positions: support with emphasis on risk mitigation, noting that the framework reduces risk to other jurisdictions and that the project unlocks $250 million in state/federal funding. Concerns about the legal term 'should' vs 'shall' were addressed; staff confirmed future implementation agreements would use stronger language.
• A motion to approve the staff recommendation was made by Director Talamantes, seconded, and passed unanimously (Roll call: 11 ayes, 0 nays).

Discussion Item: Future of SASFA – Potential November 2026 Ballot Measure (Item 14)

• Staff (Jennifer Dahl and Kevin Busey) presented three options: (1) end the program, (2) pursue a November 2026 ballot measure after polling, or (3) a hybrid of delaying the ballot but conducting polling now. The program (a $1 annual vehicle registration fee) sunset in 2022 after receiving 57.7% voter approval (needed 2/3 supermajority). Current abandoned vehicle abatement funding is lacking. Polling would cost $35,000–$40,000.
• Director Dickinson offered a motion to pursue options 2 and 3 (hybrid), authorizing the Executive Director to seek polling funds from member jurisdictions. Seconded by Director Sing Allen.
• Roll call: 9 ayes (Boulihan, Dickinson, Gera, Middleton, Rodriguez, Sing Allen, Spees, Talamantes, Raithel), 2 nays (Pluckebaum, Hume). Motion passed.

Executive Director’s Report (Item 15)

• Kevin Busey reported on SACOG’s upcoming regional funding round ($84M–$125M), STA’s grant training seminars, and SB 1087 (SCS/APS consistency legislation) being monitored. Also noted a countywide VMT mitigation strategy report expected in April 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Elected Raithel as Chair and Hume as Vice Chair (unanimous).
• Approved I Street Bridge interim financing framework unanimously, authorizing the Executive Director to execute the master agreement and solicit bank proposals.
• Approved the SASFA hybrid direction (options 2 and 3) with authorization to seek polling funds from member jurisdictions; passed 9-2.
• Consent calendar approved without changes.