Commission approves CATS budget changes, director seeks two drivers to expand service

Covington County commissioners approved a 2025 budget amendment that will pay for a van purchase and also voted to adopt the county’s CATS budget for 2026.

The amendment covers a van the county CATS program purchased after the vendor offered a “BOGO” sale, CATS staff member Tammy said. The additional vehicle increases the county’s CATS fleet from seven to eight, all of which are handicap accessible.

Tammy told commissioners CATS currently has four full‑time drivers, one full‑time dispatcher, one fill‑in who covers both dispatch and driving, and one part‑time position that is unfilled. She requested the commission approve two new positions — one full‑time driver and one part‑time driver — so she can recruit ahead of planned route and schedule expansions without returning to the commission for each hire.

Commission discussion did not include a detailed new funding breakdown for the two positions; a county official said funding for the additions would be covered by existing CATS funding but did not specify line items or fund sources.

The van purchase and the 2026 CATS budget were approved by voice votes during the meeting. Commissioners did not set specific start dates for the requested positions and asked staff to supply further schedule and budget details as the program finalizes route changes.

The change expands county-operated paratransit capacity and gives CATS an additional backup vehicle for daily operations.