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Committee adopts ordinance to formalize Metro’s authority to apply for federal transit grants
Summary
The committee approved proposed ordinance 20-25-0109, amended, to add code language authorizing Metro’s general manager to apply for Federal Transit Administration grants on behalf of King County and to clarify the term “designated recipient.” The item will be expedited to the full council.
The Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee on April 15 approved proposed ordinance 20-25-0109, as amended, to add a chapter to Title 28 of the King County Code authorizing the Metro general manager to execute and file Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant applications and related certifications on behalf of King County.
Committee staff said the ordinance responds to an FTA review that sought clarity about Metro’s authority to apply for federal transit funding. The ordinance formalizes current practice by memorializing in code that the Metro general manager may submit applications and execute FTA grant or cooperative agreements. A technical amendment adopted during the committee hearing clarifies that the phrase “designated recipient,” as used in the new code chapter, refers to King County in the context of these applications.
Mary Berganon of Council Central Staff told the committee that the change is intended to provide clearer legal footing after the FTA asked for additional clarity. She summarized historical context: Metro began service in 1973 as a public transit agency, later became a division within King County on Jan. 1, 1994, and the county has since been treated as the designated recipient for some purposes while the Puget Sound Regional Council serves as the region’s default designated recipient for most federal transit funding allocation and planning.
Staff presented financial context: Metro’s roughly $2 billion annual budget includes about $100 million per year in federal formula funding in recent years; staff estimated Metro could expect on the order of $126 million in formula grants in 2025 under current assumptions and cited discretionary grants awarded to Metro, including an $80 million award for the RapidRide I line in South King County that was obligated in January.
The committee adopted Amendment 1 without recorded opposition and then approved the ordinance as amended. The roll call showed four ayes and one member excused; the committee vote will be expedited to the full council in April 2025 with a due‑pass recommendation and the item was proposed for placement on the council consent agenda.
The committee also handled several routine items earlier in the meeting: the March 18, 2025 minutes were approved and a consent‑agenda appointment for the King Conservation District (item 4) moved forward with a due‑pass recommendation. Those consent items will go to the May 6, 2025 council meeting as noted on the record.
