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Gladstone keeps IRIS transit service month-to-month as city seeks alternatives
Summary
Council authorized up to three monthly agreements with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to continue IRIS paratransit service beginning July 1, 2025, while the city evaluates alternatives amid uncertain KC funding and higher per-ride rates.
The Gladstone City Council enacted Bill 25-21 as Ordinance 4.705 to authorize the city manager to execute up to three monthly agreements with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) to provide IRIS public transportation services beginning 07/01/2025.
City Manager Bob Behrend explained the month-to-month approach as a response to inconsistent funding from Kansas City for IRIS. "IRIS has been on again, off again. Depends heavily on Kansas City funding... so we're not real confident that the funding is going to remain there for a full year. Hence, we are going month to month with IRIS, because our contract expires on June 30," Behrend said. He also described the new rate structure: "Their new rates are, pretty much $20 a bridal, so, a little pricey," (as spoken in the transcript).
The nut of the council action: the ordinance authorizes short-term monthly renewals to avoid committing to a full-year contract while the city explores alternative paratransit or shared-ride options that may fit the municipal budget better.
Discussion vs. decision: the council formally enacted the ordinance; the manager’s remarks were informational and described the city’s plan to seek alternatives and negotiate options while buying short-term continuity through monthly agreements. No specific replacement contract was approved during the meeting.
The ordinance was adopted following motions to waive rules and approve final reading; the clerk recorded an "Aye" vote during roll call and the item was enacted as Ordinance 4.705.
