Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District

The Board of Directors discussed the delegation of Chief Financial Officer duties due to a vacancy in the position. To ensure uninterrupted operations and statutory compliance, the Board adopted a resolution to temporarily delegate these financial responsibilities to the General Manager until a new Chief Financial Officer is appointed.

This document provides an update on the Marin-Sonoma Coordinated Transit Service Plan (MASCOTS), a collaborative initiative designed to optimize regional transit service, reduce duplication, and grow ridership in the Marin-Sonoma Highway 101 corridor. Key changes implemented include expanded regional services by SMART and Golden Gate Transit (GGT), streamlined Southern Marin bus service, and enhanced local and East Bay connections. Early results from April-May 2026 indicate a 20% increase in SMART ridership, a 45% improvement in inter-agency transfers, and reduced travel times. The MASCOTS pilot is scheduled for evaluation and potential permanent changes between April 2026 and June 2029.

The 2025-2030 SMART Strategic Plan's overall purpose is to expand system extensions and enhance regional connectivity. A key focus area under its 'Extensions' pillar is to complete the system extension to Cloverdale and pursue the addition of a Geyserville station. This initiative aims to enhance the value of the railroad investment in northern Sonoma County by improving system utility and facilitating public and private connectivity within the urban service area.

The board received the General Manager's report covering procurement contracts, ridership, and upcoming event updates. Consent calendar items included the adoption of resolutions for annual funding applications and authorizing HdL to examine sales and use tax records. The board adopted a budget amendment for the fiscal year 2025/2026, authorized a contract award for professional services, and approved an agreement with Caltrans regarding the State Route 37 at-grade crossing. Additionally, the board reviewed the draft budget for the upcoming fiscal year and held a public hearing regarding vacancies, recruitment, and retention.

The Board of Directors considered and adopted a budget amendment for the 2025/2026 fiscal year to modify position authority. Key changes included the reclassification of the Associate Planner position to an Assistant Planner role to support entry-level workforce development, and the removal of a limited-term General Counsel position from the authorization list. These adjustments result in an estimated decrease in fiscal expenditures for the remainder of the year.