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Commissioners press 3 Rivers representative on transit contract, insurance and vehicle ownership
Summary
Officials questioned the 3 Rivers transit contract for FY 2025, seeking clarity about which entity insures buses titled to Spalding County and how county costs will be allocated; staff asked 3 Rivers for a written breakdown before an evening vote.
Spalding County commissioners heard from a 3 Rivers representative about the proposed FY 2025 transit services contract and asked for written clarification of insurance responsibilities, fleet ownership and how county costs are allocated.
Jeannie Bartley, speaking for 3 Rivers, reviewed a $70,000 contract allocation the county would share with the City of Griffin. Bartley said the contract covered projected trip volumes and operational hours for county riders; she also warned that the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) is consolidating its subcontracted transportation providers and that future DHS funding for trips could change, which would affect county costs.
A central point of discussion was vehicle ownership and insurance: commissioners asked whether buses titled to Spalding County would remain the county's insurance responsibility, how 3 Rivers insures its fleet, and whether counties would share or individually bear premium costs. Bartley said GDOT and 3 Rivers are titling some buses to local entities as the regional transit program matures and that insurance arrangements commonly name multiple entities as insureds; she said she would provide greater clarity. County staff asked for a specific answer to one question: "What entity will insure the vehicles that have Spalding County name on the buses at present?" Commissioners asked staff to supply vehicle-level insurance cost figures so the board could make an informed budget decision prior to the evening meeting.
Why it matters: the contract will create a recurring operating obligation and expose the county — as a titled‑vehicle owner or as an additional insured — to insurance premiums and liability exposure. Commissioners said they need a clear accounting of insurance responsibility and cost per vehicle before approving the contract.
3 Rivers and county staff agreed to provide the requested insurance and cost details in time for the board’s evening vote.
