Metropolitan Council presents $1.05 billion 2026 transportation operating budget; Metro Transit Forward, sales tax revenue, and service expansion highlighted

Metropolitan Council transportation leaders presented a $1.051 billion proposed 2026 operating budget on Aug. 20, saying new sales tax revenues and service expansions are central to the plan.

Leslie Kenderas, general manager of Metro Transit, told the Council the budget advances Metro Transit Forward, the agency's strategic framework developed with employees, riders and community members since 2023. "That sales tax has provided us a significant measure of financial stability and the ability, if not expectation, to plan ahead," Kenderas said, referring to the metro-area sales tax for transportation that took effect in October 2023.

Kenderas and Kristen Prescott, interim finance director for Metro Transit, highlighted near-term service growth: three bus rapid transit lines opened or opening in 2025'the Gold…