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Transit committee reviews recommended fare cuts, questions $222,682 reserve; no action taken for lack of quorum
Summary
Brainerd City’s transit committee discussed staff recommendations to lower fares for Brainerd and Baxter and raised questions about a listed $222,682 reserve attributed to the state; the committee could not take action because fewer than three members attended.
The Brainerd City Transit Committee reviewed staff recommendations to lower certain fares and asked staff to clarify an estimated $222,682 reserve listed in the financial report, but the committee did not take formal action because fewer than three members were present.
Committee members and staff met with a recorded roll call but no quorum; a committee member told the group “we cannot take any action or make recommendations,” and the group proceeded only to discuss agenda items for information. Because of that limitation, any formal changes would require referral to the full city council.
On fares, staff and committee members discussed aligning Brainerd and Baxter pricing to reduce passenger confusion and to encourage ridership. Transcript figures and committee discussion show these current and recommended fares: - Brainerd: current round-trip pricing described as $3 (advance) and $6 (same day); staff recommended $3 (advance) and $5 (same day). - Baxter: current pricing described as $7 (advance) and $11 (same day); staff recommended $3 (advance) and $5 (same day) to match Brainerd. - County (Crow Wing County) pricing was discussed as $8 (advance) and $12 (same day); committee members said the county “really can’t go any lower than that” because of cost variables.
Committee members said the recommended cuts aim to eliminate sharp differences between adjacent service areas so riders do not opt for taxis or otherwise forgo transit trips. A committee member noted that higher fares can push riders to take a taxi and that aligning fares between Brainerd and Baxter could recover more ridership even with lower per-ride revenue.
The financial packet as distributed lists an "estimated [MNDOT/MnDOT] reserve" of $222,682. Committee members asked whether that amount is held by the state or is part of the transit fund. Staff responded they were not sure, pledged to research the origin and control of the funds, and said they would email the committee when they have documentation.
Because the committee lacked a quorum, members agreed to present the fare recommendation and the software procurement plan to the full city council for approval; staff indicated the council must authorize going out for RFQs or accept the committee recommendation before an action is taken.
The meeting also included discussion of long-term policy questions — whether transit is an essential service and how to balance reserves, fare policy and service levels — but no formal decisions were made.
Ending: Staff committed to researching the $222,682 reserve and to emailing the committee with source and control details; any fare changes or procurement steps will require council action because the committee could not vote at the meeting.
