05 Draft Recommendation — original pdf

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BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20260316-005: Fiscal Year 2026 -2027 Budget WHEREAS, in many years, a majority of Neighborhood Cost Share Program projects under the Neighborhood Partnering Program have been for park improvements, not transportation-related items; WHEREAS, there is no dedicated budget item or maintenance crew dedicated to vertical safety infrastructure in bikeways, crosswalks, and Vision Zero projects (i.e. elineators, flex posts, Ziclas, etc), with the responsibility being absorbed by the ATPW Signs and Markings Division; WHEREAS, if the City of Austin maintains the current levels of funding from the Transportation User Fee/ Transportation Fund for sidewalk rehabilitation and urban trails maintenance, Austin Transportation and Public Works (ATPW) estimates the 10-year maintenance backlog costs to make the systems “functionally acceptable” would be $323-$523 million for sidewalks and $32 million for urban trails; DRAFT WHEREAS, the City Council approved $10 million in Conditional Obligation Bonds to fill sidewalk project funding gaps in Fiscal Year 2025–2026, to serve as “bridge financing to maintain construction continuity, retain skilled labor and institutional knowledge, and prevent rising costs from project delays;” WHEREAS, in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget, ATPW estimated a projected revenue increase from Transportation Use Fee funds of $14,760,755 in Fiscal Year 2026-2027 with a projected fee increase of 8.3% ($1.81 per month for a typical Single Family Residential Bill); WHEREAS, without additional capital funding, ATPW estimates there will only be $2 million for new sidewalk construction in Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (anticipated from Parking Transportation Management District and Sidewalk Fee in Lieu funding); NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that ATPW fund the following maintenance priorities out of any increase in the Transportation User Fee ($8.8 million, total): ● $15.4 million in sidewalk rehabilitation, a 100% increase from $7.7 million in FY 26, to reduce the 10-year backlog of sidewalk rehabilitation projects from $323-$523 million (at existing funding levels) to $246-446 million (31%- 14.7% reduction); ● $1 million in urban trails maintenance, a 150% increase from $0.4 million in FY 26, to reduce the 10-year backlog in Urban Trail repair needs from $32 million (at existing funding levels) to $22 million (31% reduction) ○ If ATPW feels this is already budgeted within Signs & Markings, the UTC recommends that the funding be broken out as a separate budget item within the division; ● $0.5 million and a dedicated maintenance crew for Vertical Safety to replace and repair broken delineators, flex posts, Ziclas, and other vertical safety elements in bikeways, crosswalks, and Vision Zero projects; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the City Council or City Manager opts to continue the Neighborhood Partnering Program & Neighborhood Cost Share Program as both a transportation and parks improvement program, the UTC recommends that the program be funded equally from the Transportation Fund or Parking Management Fund, and the Austin Parks and Recreation Parking and Gate Entry Fund or other Parks and Recreation funding source; and DRAFT BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UTC recommends the City Council consider a one-time funding of $10 million for sidewalk construction in Certificates of Obligation (COs) to fill sidewalk project funding gaps in Fiscal Year 27 (which was also included in the FY 26 Budget) and serves as bridge financing to maintain construction continuity prior to a possible 2026 Bond. Motioned by: Seconded by: Date of Approval: Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)