Last week, the OCTA Board of Directors approved a $1.4 billion balanced budget for fiscal year 2020-21. Despite the challenges of an uncertain financial future due to the coronavirus pandemic, the budget reflects OCTA’s mission to deliver innovative, long-term sustainable transportation solutions for the residents of Orange County.
The budget will help fund freeway improvements on I-405, I-5 and SR-55, improve Orange County’s roads, advance construction on the OC Streetcar and continue to service Orange County’s transit needs, keeping safety as a top priority with guidance from health officials.
The budget that will go into effect in July has been reduced by more than $98 million compared to last year’s OCTA budget and underwent several revisions based on revenue estimates that show sharp declines in funding from both OC Go (also known as Measure M) and state sales tax. No plans for new hiring or salary increases for administrative and professional staff are included in the budget.
“We clearly had to make some difficult decisions because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this budget demonstrates OCTA’s ongoing commitment to improving the lives of residents through transportation,” said OCTA Chairman Steve Jones, also the Mayor of Garden Grove. “We’re happy to continue on the path to delivering a balanced and sustainable transportation system for Orange County.”