Churchill County to absorb CART transit under Social Services; board approves phased integration

Churchill County commissioners voted Aug. 28 to absorb the Churchill Area Regional Transportation (CART) program into county operations, approving a phased plan to combine CART with existing Social Services transportation and Meals on Wheels operations.

Shannon Ernst, Churchill County Social Services, told the board the county applied to the Nevada Department of Transportation for Full Delivery Assistance (FDA) funds to take over CART and that staff received official award notice Aug. 4. The award provides two years of full funding conditional on state sign-off; staff confirmed FDA signed off on the state award.

Ernst presented two concepts. Concept 1 would create a standalone CART department with its own manager, dispatchers and transportation specialists; Concept 2 would combine CART with Social Services transportation and Meals on Wheels, cross-train drivers, and consolidate dispatch under the Life Center manager. Ernst said Concept 2 is more cost-effective but requires time for training and implementation and requested temporary casual/part-time positions to smooth the transition.

Commissioners favored Concept 2 and emphasized not rushing the transition. One commissioner said combining services would allow full-time positions with benefits and reduce turnover; another cautioned against weakening Life Center operations by moving too quickly.

The board approved Concept 2 and directed staff to implement a phased transition, with staff returning within 60 days with a detailed timeline and staffing plan. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Next steps: Social Services will maintain interim casual staff as requested, develop a cross-training and implementation timeline for full integration, and return to the board within two months with staffing and training details.