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SACOG presents 2025 regional blueprint, warns of transportation funding 'fiscal cliff'
Summary
The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) outlined its 2025 long-range plan for the six-county region, projecting steep population and job growth through 2050 and urging local jurisdictions to prepare for likely cuts to federal transit funding.
The Sacramento Area Council of Governments on Wednesday updated the West Sacramento City Council on its 2025 regional blueprint, saying the region must be strategic about transportation investments as federal and state funding become less certain.
SACOG Executive Director James Corliss told council members the blueprint — a long-range plan covering 22 cities across six counties through 2050 — ties transportation, housing and jobs together and is intended to keep the Sacramento region competitive for state and federal grants.
Corliss said the region is forecast to grow by about 600,000 people and 260,000 jobs by 2050, requiring roughly 278,000 housing units. For West Sacramento specifically, he said planners project roughly 31,000 additional residents, 15,000 more jobs and about 16,000 housing units over the next 25 years.
Why it matters: Corliss said the region faces a transportation funding “fiscal cliff,” with less competitive grant funding expected at the federal level and possible erosion of state programs. He urged jurisdictions to coordinate on priorities to remain competitive for the limited funding that will be available.
Key points from the presentation
- Outreach and priorities: SACOG said it conducted extensive outreach and distilled public priorities into themes including affordable housing, safe transportation options, open-space preservation and “complete communities” with walkable neighborhoods. Survey respondents ranked affordable housing highest among regional concerns.
- Funding and implementation: Corliss emphasized that the blueprint will be released as a public draft in May with an environmental review (EIR) out for 60 days, a July board review and adoption and certification targeted for November. He noted SACOG programs — including “Green Means Go” (a greenhouse-gas–reduction economic/housing program) and a regional trails initiative — are intended to turn plan priorities into funded projects.
- Mobility zones and equity: SACOG described a new Mobility Zones program intended to identify neighborhoods with transportation disadvantage and prioritize them for funding. The program tailors equity measures by county rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Transit finances: Corliss and multiple council members said public transit funding is at particular risk. Corliss predicted fewer competitive federal grants and relatively more reliance on formula funding unless the region makes a strong case in Washington.
Council reaction and next steps
Council members thanked SACOG for the outreach and praised West Sacramento staff for competitive grant writing. Several council members raised concerns about local projects that depend on state or federal funds, including bridge projects and trails, and pressed SACOG to help the region advocate in Washington and Sacramento.
Corliss said SACOG will continue to coordinate with local staff on grant applications and to push the region’s priorities in state and federal discussions. The public draft and EIR for public comment are expected in May; SACOG plans to return to the board and member jurisdictions as the plan advances.
