Hendry County approves five-year transit agreement, signs coordination contracts with three providers

Hendry County commissioners on June 23 approved a five-year memorandum of agreement with the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged and ratified coordination contracts with three local providers so the county can continue serving as the community transportation coordinator for Hendry and Glades counties.

Mr. Parker, a county staff member presenting the item, said, "This is a 5 year agreement between Hendry County and the Florida Commission for Transportation Disadvantage for the county to serve as the community transportation coordinator. That way, we can provide service in Hendry and Glades County." He added that the agreement "was received after your earlier meeting in June. It expires at the end of the month, and they cannot wait till the board meeting in July, and that's why we're having the meeting today." The board was asked to authorize the chair to execute the agreement and an accompanying resolution.

Commissioner Glaser moved to approve the item identified as "option 1," and Commissioner Emery Howard seconded. The board approved the memorandum of agreement by voice vote; the motion carried.

The board then approved separate coordination contracts designating Hendry County as the community transportation coordinator with Hope Hospice, Lighthouse of Southwest Florida and Sunrise Community of Southwest Florida. Commissioner Emery Howard moved to approve the Hope Hospice contract, with Commissioner Raymond Iglesias seconding; Commissioner Iglesias moved approval of the Lighthouse contract, seconded by Commissioner Michael Atkinson; and Commissioner Galatius moved approval of the Sunrise Community contract, seconded by Commissioner Emery Howard. Each motion was carried by voice vote.

The presenter characterized these items as the transit-related business for the meeting; after the final contract vote the presenter said, "Here, that's all the transit items I have," and the meeting proceeded to adjourn.

These actions formally authorize Hendry County to act as community transportation coordinator under the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged memorandum of agreement and to enter coordination contracts with the three named providers. The record shows the agreement was time-sensitive because it expires at the end of the month and arrived after the board's earlier June meeting.