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ATP proposes $185 million Prop A operating plan for FY2026, $119M light-rail spend plan and staffing at 65 FTEs
Summary
CFO Brian Rivera presented ATP's proposed FY2026 budget, forecasting $185,000,000 in Prop A operating receipts, $99,000,000 in transfers to capital, a roughly $119,000,000 light-rail spend plan and a 65 FTE personnel plan with a 3.5% wage increase; the board was invited to stakeholder meetings ahead of a September adoption vote.
The Austin Transit Partnership on July 30 presented a proposed FY2026 budget that forecasts $185,000,000 in Prop A revenues for operating, includes transfers to capital funds and advances the agency's work on Austin Light Rail and Project Connect.
CFO Brian Rivera told the board the FY2026 operating fund anticipates $185,000,000 in Prop A receipts and that the FY2026 budget includes about $99,000,000 in appropriations to transfer from operating to capital funds to support next year’s spend plan. Rivera said the light‑rail capital fund expects roughly $63,000,000 in prior‑year appropriations and a combined FY2026 spend plan of about $119,000,000, divided primarily between professional services (federal‑reimbursable project costs) and administrative expenses.
Rivera said the FY2026 personnel plan lists 65 full‑time equivalent positions, 57 of which are filled and eight vacant; the budget includes a 3.5% across‑the‑board wage increase and a stability‑pay program tied to the deferred‑comp vesting schedule as a retention measure. He said staff are planning internal training and career‑development approaches to shift skill sets as the project moves from design to construction.
Rivera also described other capital funds managed in partnership with CapMetro—BRT projects, park‑and‑ride facilities and charging infrastructure—and discussed the anti‑displacement fund administered by the City of Austin. Rivera stated a $20,000,000 appropriation for the current phase and the transcript indicates this contributes to "a total appropriate amount of a 160,000,000" for the anti‑displacement program; the transcript language on those totals is unclear and is flagged for clarification.
Rivera and Executive Director Greg Canale emphasized alignment with federal processes (NEPA and the Capital Investment Grant), noting the agency expects NEPA to be complete by the end of the year and is preparing for a CIG risk workshop. Rivera said ATP will hold stakeholder meetings in August and early September and will return to the board for budget adoption in September.
Board discussion focused on personnel development and retention as roles shift toward construction; Commissioner Trevino pressed for clear career‑progression and certification opportunities so existing staff can take on evolving technical responsibilities.
The board did not take a final vote on the budget at this meeting; Rivera and staff offered to meet with individual board members before the planned September adoption vote.
