How do I know my fees will be used for transportation-related programs? What are the assurances the funds will be spent wisely?
Senate Bill 83 requires that the Vehicle Registration Fee be used only to pay for programs that demonstrate a relationship or benefit to the owners of motor vehicles paying the fee and that are consistent with a regional transportation plan. Additionally, Senate Bill 83 requires the County’s Congestion Management Agency to adopt an Expenditure Plan detailing how fees will be spent. The Expenditure Plan was drawn from plans that have already been adopted to address transportation congestion in Alameda County, such as the Countywide Transportation Plan and the Congestion Management Program. For the most part, studies and analysis needed to identify these programs have already been conducted, so the bulk of the Vehicle Registration Fee funds will go directly towards implementation. Moreover, Senate Bill 83 limits administrative costs to no more than 5 percent of the generated revenue.
