York County delays public-transportation fare increases after public hearing; commissioners approve multiple budget and operations items

York County commissioners voted Sept. 2 to delay a planned increase to county public-transportation fares after a public hearing in which staff outlined the rise and riders and aging-services advocates voiced concerns and conditional support.

The hearing featured a detailed proposal from Laura Beyers, York County Public Transportation director, who said the agency had drafted changes to cover budget shortfalls. "We were looking at increasing the fares to be able to better meet our budgetary needs," Beyers told the board. Under the proposal, city fares would rise from $2 to $3 per boarding and in-county fares from $4 to $5 per boarding. The Thursday Lincoln trip would move from $15 to $20 per trip; expanded-distance tiers were restructured (a $15 fare within roughly 30 miles, $30 at about 60 miles and $60 at about 110 miles) to reduce hardship for riders who live just across county lines. Beyers also proposed a $2 administrative fee for forwarded rides and a $2 same-day booking fee.

Beyers said the county would preserve reduced fares tied to federal poverty levels (100%, 125% and 150%) so the lowest-income riders would be shielded; she told the board the agency’s calculations showed the changes would not raise costs for the lowest-income users because the minimum fare would remain $1.

Several members of the public told commissioners they supported preserving the service. Willard Peterson, who identified himself as a member of the Aging Services Advisory Board, said he supported the changes so the service could continue, while urging care to protect low-income riders. "We have to raise rates," Peterson said; "but it is really good that Laura has figured out how to do it without really affecting the lowest income people."

After the hearing and brief board discussion, the board voted unanimously to delay implementing the fare increases so staff can return with follow-up information. The board did not adopt the proposed fares on Sept. 2 and left the current rate structure in place while the transit office completes additional budget and impact details.

Other actions taken Sept. 2

Votes at a glance - Delay of proposed public-transportation fare increases — outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). Vote record: Ott: yes; Bowman: yes; Grotz/Groats: yes; Burgess: yes; Obermeyer: yes. Notes: motion to delay implementation; staff directed to return with follow-up information on timing and impacts.

- Accept $50,000 donation for Aging Services and deposit into two certificates of deposit (2 x $25,000) — outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). Vote record: Ott: yes; Bowman: yes; Grotz/Groats: yes; Burgess: yes; Obermeyer: yes. Notes: donation letter specifies mobility/vehicle use; staff will seek written clarification from donor about whether funds must purchase a handicap-accessible van or may be used for broader mobility initiatives; funds to be held in a designated donation line item at Midwest Bank.

- Adopt county resolution certifying completion of stop sign/"stop ahead" sign program — outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). Vote record: Grotz/Groats: yes; Bowman: yes; Burgess: yes; Obermeyer: yes; Ott: yes.

- Adopt county resolution declaring support for farmland as the primary use of county agricultural acreage (amended to remove the word "prime") — outcome: approved. Vote record: Bowman: yes; Burgess: no; Grotz/Groats: abstain; Obermeyer: yes; Ott: yes. Notes: the board amended the draft to remove the word "prime" from the final resolution and clarified it is a policy statement, not zoning or land-use law.

- Accept supplemental agreement and up to $31,000 from the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) to reimburse public-transportation expenditures from the prior fiscal year — outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). Vote record: Ott: yes; Bowman: yes; Grotz/Groats: yes; Burgess: yes; Obermeyer: yes. Notes: NDOT is releasing funds to match previously expended items in the two-year grant period.

- Approve $12,000 payment to Henderson (two-year total) for neighborhood services (retroactive/multi-year payment) — outcome: approved. Vote record: Bowman: yes; Burgess: yes; Grotz/Groats: yes; Obermeyer: yes; Ott: yes. Notes: board had budgeted $6,000 annually and approved a two-year $12,000 payment this cycle after the city/village did not file a routine request earlier in the process.

- Postpone county discussion and any action on proposed zoning regulations until the recall process is resolved or a newly appointed commissioner is seated — outcome: approved (motion to postpone). Vote record: Bowman: yes; Grotz/Groats: abstain; Burgess: no; Obermeyer: yes; Ott: yes.

- Entered executive session at 10:53 a.m. to consider personnel matters (to prevent needless harm to an individual); (personnel matter joined by the roads superintendent and county attorney) — outcome: board moved to executive session; vote record: Groats/Grotz: yes; Bowman: yes; Ott: yes; Burgess: yes; Obermeyer: yes. Notes: the executive session was taken under the personnel exception; the board did not announce any final action in open session within the provided transcript excerpt.

Why this matters County transit officials say the service is financially strained after years of static fares while operating costs rose. The proposed fare changes would have raised fares that have been at $2 (city) and $4 (in-county) since 2011 and would have shifted distance-based tiers to be more responsive to riders who cross county lines for services. Commissioners said they want staff to return with clearer timing and impact details before raising fares that affect older adults, Medicaid-eligible riders and people who use the county service for medical and other essential trips.

Other notable items from the Sept. 2 meeting - John Cannon, executive director of the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO), and State Senator (District 24) Hughes gave an extended legislative update covering the 2025 session, statewide issues affecting counties (including inheritance-tax debates, property-tax caps, nameplate-capacity tax allocation for renewable generation, and a recent attorney-general opinion on assessor trespass liabilities). Commissioners spent substantial time listening to state-level developments that could affect local budgets and county operations.

- Aging Services staff asked for and received board approval to accept a $50,000 donation earmarked for mobility services; staff will confirm donor intent in writing and place funds in a restricted donation account pending final direction.

- Commissioners adopted a short resolution certifying completion of a county stop-sign program and will forward the signed resolution to the state as required.

What the board asked staff to do next - Return with a follow-up report on the transit fare proposal that clarifies the effective date options, quantifies impacts on riders at different income levels, and shows the net budget effect and timelines for public notice. - Provide written clarification from the donor for the aging-services funds and documentation needed by Midwest Bank to accept the CDs into the county donation account. - Continue coordination with NDOT to receive the supplemental transit reimbursement funds already expended by the county.

Article sources and transcript excerpts This article is based on the Sept. 2, 2025 public meeting of the York County Board of Commissioners and the following on-the-record statements and public motions made during that meeting. Direct quotes are attributed only to speakers who appear in the meeting record and are included verbatim.

Ending The board did not adopt the proposed transit fares on Sept. 2 and kept current fares in effect while staff compiles additional budget and impact information. Commissioners scheduled follow-up actions for staff (donor clarification, NDOT reimbursement processing and additional transit analysis) before any future vote on fare increases.