2020 Budget Amendment for Link Expansion
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The Urbanist2020 Budget Amendment for Link Expansion
Uploaded by
The UrbanistResolution No.
R2020-26
Amending the Adopted 2020 Budget for System Expansion - Link
Meeting: Date: Type of action: Staff contact:
System Expansion Committee 12/10/2020 Recommend to Board Tracy Butler, Executive Director,
Board 12/17/2020 Final action Finance
Ron Lewis, Executive Director
Design, Engineering and
Construction Management
Ryan Fisher, Director FP&A
Proposed action
Amends the Adopted 2020 Annual Budget to increase the System Expansion – Link budget by $30.0
million from $1,965,286,311 to $1,995,286,311 to account for higher category spending in 2020, without
an increase to the Authorized Project Allocation for any individual Link project.
Key features summary
2020 Annual spending for System Expansion – Link projects is forecasted to exceed the revised
adopted annual budget of $1,965,286,311 by $30 million, or 1.5%.
There are no changes necessary to the Authorized Project Allocation for any individual Link project.
Higher project spending in 2020 will be offset by lower project spending in future years.
Primary drivers for the forecasted spending include:
o Implementation of the Alternative Technical Concepts and advancement of work at the
Midway Landfill as part of the Federal Way Link Extension;
o Earlier than anticipated acquisition of key properties and faster than anticipated ramp up of
contractor mobilization in preparation for construction activities as part of the Downtown
Redmond Link Extension; and
o Completion of drilled shaft work ahead of schedule allowing subsequent construction
activities to advance earlier than planned as part of the Lynnwood Link Extension.
Forecasted 2020 spending on System Expansion projects as a whole is projected to be $2.1 billion
or 97.2% of plan.
Background
Under the Board’s Budget Policy adopted through Resolution No. R2020-24, the Board controls and
monitors revenue and other financing sources and budget appropriations. Board action is required to
change the amounts established in the adopted annual budget or adopted TIP for the total annual
operating budget, annual project budgets by project type, and authorized project allocation to date for
each project, among other controls. Under the policy, spending cannot exceed the amount established
by the Board for each project category.
The Sound Transit Board adopted the 2020 Sound Transit Annual Budget and Transit Improvement
Plan (TIP) which included a cumulative total of Authorized Project Allocations for all active projects. An
annual budget of $2,063,066,083 was established for System Expansion – Link projects which was
revised in accordance with the Budget Policy and subsequent project amendments to $1,965,286,311.
Fiscal information
This action will increase the annual authorized spending on System Expansion - Link projects by $30
million. There is no change to any authorized project allocation, as all System Expansion - Link projects
comply with existing budget policies and previously established baseline budgets or authorized project
allocations. Project cashflow revisions will be addressed during the budget rebalance process.
The proposed action is for existing projects already in construction and within the guidance of the Board
on realignment. As such, the proposed action is not expected to change the existing affordability of the
financial plan, which is uncertain at this point. The economic situation, magnitude of revenue loss, and
associated impact on the long-term financial capacity of the Agency will not be fully understood for some
time.
Disadvantaged and small business participation
Not applicable to this action.
Public involvement
Not applicable to this action.
Time constraints
A one-month delay could result in annual spending on System Expansion – Link projects exceeding
authorized spending limits established by Resolution No. R2019-30.
Prior Board/Committee actions
Resolution No. R2019-30: Adopting the Proposed 2020 Budget and 2020 Transit Improvement Plan.
Environmental review – KH 12/2/20
Legal review – JW 12/7/20
Resolution No. R2020-26 Page 2 of 2
Staff Report
Resolution No. R2020-26
A RESOLUTION of the Board of the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority amending the
Adopted 2020 Annual Budget to increase the System Expansion – Link budget by $30.0 million from
$1,965,286,311 to $1,995,286,311 to account for higher category spending in 2020, without an increase
to the Authorized Project Allocation for any individual Link project.
WHEREAS, the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, commonly known as Sound
Transit, was formed under chapters 81.104 and 81.112 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) for
the Pierce, King, and Snohomish Counties region by action of their respective county councils pursuant
to RCW 81.112.030; and
WHEREAS, Sound Transit is authorized to plan, construct, and permanently operate a high-
capacity system of transportation infrastructure and services to meet regional public transportation
needs in the Central Puget Sound region; and
WHEREAS, in general elections held within the Sound Transit district on November 5, 1996,
November 4, 2008, and November 8, 2016, voters approved local funding to implement a regional
high-capacity transportation system for the Central Puget Sound region; and
WHEREAS, in December 2019, through Resolution No. R2019-30, the Board adopted the 2020
Budget and Transit Improvement Plan (TIP) authorizing annual spending for operating costs and project
costs by category; and
WHEREAS, the Board established and annual budget of $2,063,066,083 for all System
Expansion – Link projects that was revised to $1,965,286,311 through the budget rebalance process
and amendments during the fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, annual spending on Operations and Maintenace Facility – East, Lynnwood Link,
Federal Way Link and Downtown Redmond Link Extensions is forecasted to exceed annual budgets
contributing to a forecasted expenditure of $30 million, or 1.5%, over the annual System Expansion –
Link budget for all Link light rail projects; and
WHEREAS, System Expansion – Link projects are not forecast to exceed authorized project
allocations but accelerated milestone achievements have resulted in annual spending in advance of
plan; and
WHEREAS, under the Board’s adopted budget policy, project type annual spending cannot
exceed the amount established by the Board; and
WHEREAS, increasing the System Expansion – Link budget by $30 million to cover anticipated
2020 spending will allow existing Link projects to proceed and be in compliance with the Board’s budget
policy; and
WHEREAS, a two-thirds affirmative vote of the entire membership of the Sound Transit
Board is required to amend the adopted 2020 budget.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of the Central Puget Sound Regional
Transit Authority that the Adopted 2020 Annual Budget is amended to increase the System Expansion –
Link budget by $30.0 million from $1,965,286,311 to $1,995,286,311 to account for higher category
spending in 2020, without an increase to the Authorized Project Allocation for any individual Link project.
ADOPTED by the Board of the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority at a regular meeting
thereof held on _______________.
Kent Keel
Board Chair
Attest:
Kathryn Flores
Board Administrator