ATP presents FY27 budget proposal emphasizing affordability, right‑of‑way and contract oversight

ATP finance staff presented the fiscal-year 2027 proposed budget to the board on July 15, highlighting measures to protect affordability, secure corridor right-of-way and strengthen contract oversight.

CFO Brian Rivera and Senior Vice President Dan Balbrach said the FY27 plan focuses capital spending on reducing delivery risk, advancing design, and securing right-of-way parcels that begin to materialize as spend in FY27. The staff estimated Prop A receipts for FY27 at about $194,000,000 and said the ATP expects a fund balance carryforward of roughly $217,000,000 to be available for future appropriations. "At the end of FY27 the total ending balance ... will have $217,000,000 rolling over," staff said.

Staff described three core budget components—annual operating budgets (Prop A flows), a multi-year capital budget, and a spending plan that sequences cash outflows to align with contract authorizations and federal processes. The presentation also noted a proposed reduction in FTEs (from a previous high of 87 down to a planned 64) and a proposed 3% wage increase for eligible staff.

Board members asked for clarity on cash-on-hand and how the budget aligns with near-term contract approvals. Staff said the FY27 spend plan includes funds to support partner agencies’ review work, right-of-way acquisitions and certain betterments (utility relocations) requested by city utilities. The proposed budget will be shared with community stakeholder groups in August and returned to the board for formal adoption in September.