Question: How does the revised WMATA operating subsidy amount impact the City budget? Are there funds that can now be allocated to other programs? Councilman Elnoubi
Response:
On Friday, Thursday, March 26, WMATA presented revised FY 2027 jurisdictional operating budget subsidies at its Finance Committee meeting. The new amounts are preliminary pending final approval by the Board of Directors on April 23rd. If approved, the City’s FY 2027 operating subsidy would be reduced by approximately $625,000. The previous subsidy amount, which was included in the City’s FY 2027 proposed budget, reflected a $7.0 million increase over the FY 2026 budget. The City’s proposed budget funded that increase through a $6.1 million increase in the use of NVTC funding, a $473,000 increase in the use of NVTA 30% funding, and a $466,224 General Fund increase. Since most of the FY 2027 proposed budget increase is funded by regional transportation sources, the final amounts are subject to change, and there is the potential for a significant increase in the subsidy in FY 2028, staff recommends adjusting the use of NVTC funding if the final subsidy is adopted as revised.