[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6234924,"mediaKeyId","3409198-6a96ffab5ab4c180852e231834bc3fd0","parentId",3409198,"title","Seminole County approves microtransit contract with BeFree LLC to replace select LYNX routes","audioSeconds",2796,"startMs",1216000,"endMs",4012000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409198-6a96ffab5ab4c180852e231834bc3fd0&start=1216&end=4012","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409198-6a96ffab5ab4c180852e231834bc3fd0/thumbnail_1216000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6234924/Seminole-County/Florida/Seminole-County-approves-microtransit-contract-with-BeFree-LLC-to-replace-select-LYNX-routes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234924-1749483d613288a05ea674b6e44f8772/orig.mp4?Expires=1770664880&Signature=elu3wHliF054wXPLisyCxhFWJ5E71BNJU~jPfoVEsnyV01efpMv1PaSw49V~myJa1U77e87S5FRe7zkLpz6NhOFempYCoB9tobCNwRvUqN9YQ7cIvsmG-KSnDuQxiZzBap466GhnUjiNS6cr-os6JCPjsU0rFKbBBQ6RvhUm2c0lpupe0i0A7x48cTe5E6qE3slZRFgxuo-jAMg5K0YmY~hfs8olgsqJO4om7iVtpkkt-qTmSJUAFuMMvtKkm3whdh1wmsJnhsBsLdqgBvVh8j7ipJhz-50SBLuRQ5el9o0Rutzo1UOWFo2WrsQSIi3-37siatTfd20EsiHteWKGgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Seminole County, FL","date","2025-05-20T19:39:02.8Z","article","The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to award RFP 604918-25/PCD for microtransit services to BeFree LLC (doing business as Freebie) and authorized the county manager to execute the agreement and adjust service levels based on demand. The board action followed a staff presentation summarizing vendor proposals, pricing options and next steps.

Staff said the contract is intended to replace several existing LYNX fixed routes within the county while leaving LYNX-operated paratransit and transportation-disadvantaged services in place. Christian Swinson, Assistant County Manager, and Tim Jacks, budget director, told commissioners vendors returned compliant proposals that ranged from roughly $4.8 million to $9.2 million depending on vehicle counts, vehicle types and optional in‑kind services. Swinson said staff’s recommendation reflected a negotiated insurance level and several standardizations to make vendor offers comparable.

Why it matters: the change is intended to reduce cost and increase coverage where fixed routes have low ridership. Commissioners repeatedly said they want to avoid creating a government-run Uber replacement, preserve service for transportation-disadvantaged riders, and protect the county’s fiscal exposure while the new service scales up.

Most important facts first: Swinson said vendors proposed different starting fleets (two vendors suggested 35 vehicles initially; vendors agreed a fully ramped service might require 55 vehicles). Staff and the county risk manager recommended an umbrella insurance level of $5,000,000 (with $2,000,000 listed as minimally acceptable). Staff also reported potential annual savings if the county provided parking for overnight vehicles (about $63,000) but said providing electricity for vendor electric fleets would be treated as a pass‑through cost and was not part of the recommendation. Swinson said setup costs varied by vendor (two vendors proposed roughly $100,000; one proposed about $650,000). He said staff is targeting an October service start, subject to final contract execution and federal compliance checks.

On scope and LYNX: staff and commissioners confirmed LYNX will continue to operate paratransit and transportation‑disadvantaged service. Swinson described the county microtransit as “meant to complement the service to not replace it.” He noted vendor pricing and LYNX partner escalators should be considered over a multi‑year horizon.

Board discussion and vote: Commissioners pressed staff on fare policy, exit costs from LYNX, contract escalators and oversight. Commissioner Amy Lockhart, who made the motion to award, said the board authorized the county manager “to execute the agreement and adjust service levels going forward based on demand.” Commissioner Andrea Herr asked that future fare discussions define the highest fare compatible with federal grant eligibility and urged starting small and scaling up. Commissioner Lee Constantine and others asked that contract notices and changes also be sent to the commission chair in addition to the county manager. After discussion, the motion to award to BeFree LLC carried unanimously.

Direct excerpts from the meeting include Swinson’s recommendation, and the motion that followed: “our recommendation from staff … is here on the screen. We’re recommending … award to BeFree LLC, which does business as Freebie and authorize the county manager to execute the agreement and adjust the service level.” Commissioner Lockhart moved to award the contract; the motion carried unanimously.

Next steps: Swinson said the draft agreement is under final legal review and will be reviewed by an outside vendor for federal compliance (including Title VI). Staff plans to return to the board later with a separate agendized item specifically to discuss fares and discounts once an outside review is complete. The county manager and vendor will finalize a contract and a phased implementation plan before service launch.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BCC AM Session 05-20-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to award RFP 604918-25/PCD for microtransit services to BeFree LLC (doing business as Freebie) and authorized the county manager to execute the agreement and adjust service levels based on demand.","taxTitle","Seminole County, Florida","taxId",5038,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6234913,"New Seminole County supervisor flags administrative gaps, seeks $5.3 million for equipment and reforms",494,6041000,6535000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409198-6a96ffab5ab4c180852e231834bc3fd0&start=6041&end=6535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409198-6a96ffab5ab4c180852e231834bc3fd0/thumbnail_6041000.jpg","/articles/6234913/Seminole-County/Florida/New-Seminole-County-supervisor-flags-administrative-gaps-seeks-53-million-for-equipment-and-reforms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234913-f8feedd231e4101d1ec0a884ab07afb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770664880&Signature=kF~Z38fp6BOBbQiMDdxAyOpZbP3XIrZtm2zDNeIudC7su5~D~VYUfCuyRljU~d9JZyayQ5rRsOlS-mLeeQfi6aRSnFAfbRFPDphv2HDs7DCiYjQdavNkOjPeAEKZOF-JmYK9F3qzlETi2DAnPSPwfiGH2Pi5nMfRzkJrGJGvP7jw0qq65kOMAhqRIvpe8N-rkZ1KwAjPbOHZiX0ey4RzNJiV3wG6KwffYZoRBjjoLXckXcjAKUymzdjAtbQOdHthZMnINdaOZ1pbN48tImcWdMmvS9wF63I~SStB9ieMmYyoll5uHcGcP25Y9rTgLao7PlN0Kg0IsvxoaDnrofSD7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Amy Pennock, Seminole County Supervisor of Elections, briefed the Board of County Commissioners on an internal transition audit and the office’s FY2025–26 budget request and described administrative problems discovered since she took office in January. Pennock said her top priorities are restoring records compliance, replacing aging tabulation equipment and improving voter‑services staffing and processes.

Why it matters: the supervisor oversees elections administration; the presentation outlined financial and procedural problems that could affect election operations, vendor trust and public confidence.

Key findings and requests: Pennock said there was no formal transition when she assumed office, and that her review found missing employee HR files and records, incomplete candidate financial records, vendor and payroll problems that required 92 W‑2 corrections for poll workers and numerous late vendor payments. She reported the office has incurred about $161,000 in legal fees that were not budgeted in FY24–25 and said she will seek a budget transfer to cover those costs.

On equipment, Pennock said the office purchased a Clear Ballot audit product to expand post‑election auditing and refreshed iPads used for voter check‑in after Apple reduced support for an older operating level. She said DS200 tabulators are no longer manufactured in the same model previously purchased (DS200 replacement needs grew from a request of 7 machines to 15 units to assure coverage), and that each machine is about $77,000. Her FY25–26 request totals about $5.295 million; she said capital needs for tabulation and other election equipment drive much of the increase and that the office plans a five‑year capital refresh schedule to avoid sudden large purchases in future cycles.

Pennock also described immediate administrative work: a county‑wide list‑maintenance mailer to every registered voter that will validate addresses and vote‑by‑mail status, planned accounting and payroll software changes (moving away from JD Edwards toward QuickBooks and a payroll vendor), and additional cybersecurity and compliance costs previously supported by a now‑discontinued DHS program. She told commissioners the office hires 700–800 poll workers each election cycle and that small staffing increases and operational investments are required to deliver reliable service and reduce late payments to vendors.

Board reaction and next steps: Commissioners praised Pennock’s transparency and requested line‑item budget‑to‑actual reports and lapsed salary summaries for multiple years. Pennock said an external forensic audit with Mazars is ongoing, and that she would return revised budget materials (she provided an updated budget that reduced her initial request by about $198,000). The board indicated support for additional public transparency measures including televised canvassing work and a public workshop with the selected vendor(s) for microtransit; Pennock said she will pursue corrective steps and present requested financial detail to commissioners next week.","Supervisor of Elections Amy Pennock reported missing records, payroll and vendor issues, 92 W‑2 corrections, $161,000 in unbudgeted legal fees and a request for $5.295 million in FY25–26 to replace election equipment, strengthen records, and support list maintenance and audits",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6234919,"Property appraiser projects modest growth, files FY25–26 budget with state",485,4937000,5422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409198-6a96ffab5ab4c180852e231834bc3fd0&start=4937&end=5422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409198-6a96ffab5ab4c180852e231834bc3fd0/thumbnail_4937000.jpg","/articles/6234919/Seminole-County/Florida/Property-appraiser-projects-modest-growth-files-FY2526-budget-with-state","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234919-feba60d3fa21d90d9a157aa6c0eb9ca3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770664880&Signature=ljQH8VtGTzh3iwXtuQsh6FAoH-6TIwDa63T-F7yeoXFneSJhDDyWs19d~jbp2JXDRerHiZ5mgu-duvhhL63P0NdvOoAw7zod7rY1Mw8Cxo7zxNnCzd1oQWnFUgQBAquywuX61S1gEQk32YpWVUJybZN7FpT0cXdNTtHs3Nft09qEUUC4n1~ERmU8NHiwU3CtYlU4TcUIJzMXlDikUrfZYcPY2aMkH6ho-sNCT3eFoCfAQDlnzlXew9X5ndRXYX9JOX6wobJh74Ujwsms1ksg1CC8Lur~ieKfqvLayvLx0Sr1NfowLskN~jQdVyLm6zwZexbN1EbVQ4Inglj8ZovtlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","David Johnson, Seminole County property appraiser, presented the office’s FY2025–26 budget framework to the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners and said his office submitted required budget schedules to the Florida Department of Revenue under statute 195.087. Johnson told commissioners his office modeled a 4.5% total budget increase (about $346,000) driven primarily by a 4% salary assumption and an 8% insurance increase, and that the office planned to maintain 48 full‑time equivalents.

Why it matters: the property appraiser’s office certifies the tax roll and informs taxing authorities’ revenue expectations; the Department of Revenue reviews and approves the property appraiser’s budget in June–August.

Key details: Johnson said the office’s recommended umbrella assumptions include current FRS rates as proposed by the Legislature and that the office continues a multi‑year homestead‑exemption file review with a third‑party vendor. He said the county’s homestead program produces mean savings of about $2,500 per homestead taxpayer and that the office proactively reviews files to ensure eligibility; in a recent three‑year review fewer than 1% of tested homesteads required further investigation.

Johnson also highlighted the office’s per‑capita operating cost: “our cost per capita … is about $15.61, which puts us the sixth lowest out of the 67 counties in the state.” He provided a good‑faith estimate of taxable roll growth of roughly 6%–6.75% for notice to taxing authorities due by June 1 and said the official estimate to the board will follow this week.

Board questions focused on commercial market dynamics and timing. Commissioner Andrea Herr asked Johnson to take credit for stable spending trends and to correct a chart label; Commissioner Dwari asked about Class A office occupancy and the broader market outlook; Johnson said office absorption will be gradual and that new investor interest depends on finance market conditions.

Next steps: Johnson reminded the board that the Department of Revenue will return tentative approval by July 15 and the office expects final approval in August. He said the office will continue list maintenance and homestead verification work as part of long‑range revenue reliability efforts.","David Johnson, Seminole County property appraiser, presented a FY2025–26 budget submission to the board showing a roughly 4.5% expense increase driven by salary and insurance assumptions; he also reported continued homestead exemption file review and projected tax roll growth","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Seminole County approves microtransit contract with BeFree LLC to replace select LYNX routes

New Seminole County supervisor flags administrative gaps, seeks $5.3 million for equipment and reforms

Property appraiser projects modest growth, files FY25–26 budget with state