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Residents and commissioners press city to revisit Freebee contract and downtown funding
Summary
Multiple public commenters described safety, service and enforcement issues with the Freebee ride program and urged the commission to require contract terms that return revenue to the city or move the service off the general fund; Vice Mayor Long said the upcoming contract renewal is an opportunity to seek a revenue model or RFQ.
Public commenters at the July 22 Delray Beach special commission meeting urged the city to reconsider how it funds and oversees Freebee, the downtown on‑demand electric ride service.
Michelle Danish, a Delray Beach resident who said she briefly worked as a Freebee driver, described operational problems and safety concerns. "There’s no set allocation for where you're actually scheduled to drive in a certain area. You can drive wherever you want," Danish said, adding she left the job after a frightening safety incident in a neighborhood. Danish and other speakers also said drivers regularly accepted tips despite program rules that prohibit tipping.
Vice Mayor Long noted the city will face a Freebee contract renewal later in the year and suggested staff evaluate alternatives, including issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) or pursuing a low‑cost user fee so participating cities receive revenue. "It may be worth discussing if we want to do an RFQ ... [or] a pay model ... that money goes back to the cities," Long said.
Other residents urged that downtown‑focused programs that principally benefit the central business district — including Freebee, certain signature events and some arts programming — be funded by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) or nonprofit partners rather than the city’s general fund. City commissioners acknowledged the concerns and asked staff to review options ahead of the contract renewal and budget hearings.
Ending: Commissioners asked staff to return with information about the Freebee contract, potential RFQ requirements, and whether revenue‑sharing or a fee model is feasible before the current contract renewal.
