Thrive requests county funding to maintain rural transit; Clinton City may contribute match

Thrive, the county’s regional development and human services partner, asked commissioners to provide additional funding to maintain local rural transit service after the health department said it could not contribute this year.

Thrive presented a budget request totaling about $64,049 (the meeting packet listed $64,049.99) to cover aging services, transportation planning and transit operations. Thrive representatives said that, last year, the health department contributed $40,000 toward transit but cannot do so this year. Thrive asked the county to cover the shortfall if municipal partners do not contribute.

County staff reported that Clinton City discussed contributing about $21,000 to cover roughly half of the transit match; staff said Clinton City’s council had not formally committed at the time of the hearing. Staff explained that with Clinton City’s potential contribution, the county’s marginal increase would be roughly $3,500 above last year’s county contribution.

Thrive said current service operates three days per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and that five‑day service would require additional funding (about $28,000 for full five‑day operations). Presenters argued that transit supports residents’ access to grocery stores, medical appointments and employment, and that a loss of service would disproportionately affect rural residents.

Commissioners asked for a few days to consult with colleagues and requested confirmation from Clinton City; staff said the commissioners would follow up by email and return with a decision prior to final budget adoption.