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Transit operating grant falls about $400,000; draft budget adds transfers and a transit‑study match
Summary
City staff told the Budget Committee that the transit federal operating grant is down roughly $400,000 because 2023 ridership declined; the draft budget increases transfers from the general fund and includes a $25,000 local match for a transit study (CAMPO is covering the balance).
At a City Budget Committee meeting (date not specified), staff reported that the city’s federal operating grant for transit is down by about $400,000 compared with the prior year, a change staff tied to lower 2023 ridership caused by staffing and service adjustments. In response, the draft budget increases the transfer from the general fund by roughly $400,000 and includes about $300,000 from surplus to balance transit operations.
Director Brimmer, presenting enterprise funds, said the reduction was tied to 2023 ridership: "our federal operating grant were down, 400,000 or so," and explained that grant formulas track ridership levels over time. Brimmer also noted one expense in the transit budget: a $25,000 local match for a transit study, with CAMPO funding approximately 80% of the study cost so the city’s share is roughly $25,000.
Context and implications: staff said ridership is improving and that the city has pursued measures to recruit and retain drivers and increase school rider participation. Staff framed the $25,000 study match as the city’s required share of a larger planning grant; no formal action was taken beyond placing the amounts in the draft budget.
Additional details from the discussion: - The transit budget draft shows a combination of increased transfer from the general fund (about $400,000) and roughly $300,000 from surplus to address the grant shortfall. - Staff said a transit study appears in the expense side with $25,000 as the city’s match toward a study CAMPO is funding at approximately 80%. - Committee members asked whether ridership has returned; staff said ridership is steadily improving and emphasized efforts to recruit drivers and coordinate with school schedules to increase boardings.
Next steps: the transit line items are part of the overall draft budget; committee members may submit amendments by the finance deadline (September 12) for committee review on September 18 and possible inclusion in the substitute budget that would go to the full council for a vote in early October.
