Meeting_Body
MEASURE M INDEPENDENT TAXPAYER OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 2, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: LOCAL RETURN
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE ORAL REPORT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE oral report on Local Return programmed revenues and uses for Los Angeles County jurisdictions to support discussion on the effective and efficient use of funds.
Issue
ISSUE
To support the discussion on Local Return revenue amounts programmed and usage by each Los Angeles County local jurisdiction, this report provides a quarterly update and presents the status of Local Return funding in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026 (FY26). This includes a summary of actual Measure M fund use for FY26, and updates on current points of concern raised by Metro’s Board of Directors.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Local Return receives a 17% revenue share of the Measure M Ordinance funding apportioned to local jurisdictions by population. Under Board-adopted guidelines, this item enables the programming of funds to recipients supporting the implementation of various transportation projects and improvements throughout the region. This includes improvements for public access, paratransit services for seniors and individuals with disabilities, and transit subsidies for students and low-income residents. Local Jurisdictions make the determination of the projects that are most beneficial for their communities. Staff will continue to support jurisdictions in meeting Local Return requirements through workshops, multiple written communications regarding deadlines and one-on-one briefings with the goal of improving program compliance. In May 2026, Metro held a FY26 Consolidated Audit Workshop to clarify the programs’ requirements for audit compliance. Staff also worked with cities that have funds due to lapse by proposing to create Capital Reserve accounts so those jurisdictions may have additional time to complete larger projects. Those Capital Reserve accounts received Metro Board approval in July 2026.
In response to the March 2023 Metro Board Bus Shelters Motion (Motion 20), Local Return staff will continue to monitor and report on bus stop improvements for the region and will inform the planned Quality of Life Scorecard of the data so they may accurately and fairly assess how the pass-through funding supports local infrastructure.
Attachments
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A - Motion 20 - Metro Bus Shelters Motion
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Chelsea Meister, Senior Manager, Transportation Planning, Local Programming, (213) 922-5638
Susan Richan, Senior Director, Local Programming, (213) 922-3017
Cosette Stark, Executive Officer, Finance, (213) 922-2822
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Michelle Navarro, Interim Chief Financial Officer, (213) 922-3056