5%) countywide sales tax proposal to address a looming fiscal cliff and fund bus and paratransit operations and capital needs. The Board held a July 13, 2026 public hearing on adopting the tax ordinance and a resolution asking the County to consolidate the measure with the November 3, 2026 statewide election; the tax would generate about $27 million annually and start around April 1, 2027 if approved. This is a major, multi‑year funding stream that will drive future procurements for vehicles, zero‑emission fleet conversion, fare technology, facilities, safety, and service expansion, creating long‑term opportunities for transportation, IT, engineering, and consulting vendors.

Election costs to METRO are estimated at $435,000–$870,000; an independent taxpayers’ oversight committee will be created to review use of tax proceeds.