CITT approves four actions including Metro Rail bathroom rehab, $22M CEI umbrella and FY2026 budget

The Citizens Independent Transportation Trust on July 16 unanimously approved four actions sending recommendations and the proposed OCITT budget to the Board of County Commissioners.

The trust approved a resolution recommending the county award a contract for Metro Rail bathroom rehabilitation to Delco Inovo Group Inc. for an amount not to exceed $576,723.80, inclusive of a $51,065.80 contingency and $15,000 in permit allowances, and authorizing use of People’s Transportation Plan (PTP) bond program funds. The resolution notes the project was added to the five‑year implementation plan in January 2016.

The trust also recommended approval of an umbrella professional services agreement for construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services (SP D project E23TP04, contract 20230116) with four firms in a total amount not to exceed $22,000,000 inclusive of contingency. Stacy Miller, director of the Department of Transportation and Public Works, said the umbrella contracts let the department issue individual work orders for PTP‑funded projects already listed in the approved five‑year plan and “This is an effort to make us more efficient,” so projects do not need separate contract approvals each time.

Trust members discussed that $4.5 million of the $22 million is already identified for specific projects and that the umbrella can be used only for work included in the five‑year plan. Miller and other staff said other funding sources besides PTP (for example general obligation bonds and FDOT grants) may also be used under the umbrella; the department will notify OCITT staff before issuing work orders using PTP funds.

In separate votes, the trust adopted its fiscal year 2026 strategic objectives and approved submission of the proposed OCITT fiscal year 2026 budget to county process. Executive Director Javier Bustamante said the office initially projected higher surtax receipts but that changes in state law (elimination of the business rent tax) reduced projected collections; staff intends to manage the approved proposed budget to keep actual spending below 85% of the proposed total if receipts follow the lower projection, which Bustamante said would keep OCITT under its 1% cap on administrative costs.

All four motions passed by voice vote with no recorded dissents.

Votes at a glance - Metro Rail Bathroom Rehabilitation (RPQ TP0000027284): Recommend award to Delco Inovo Group Inc., not to exceed $576,723.80 (includes $51,065.80 contingency, $15,000 permit allowances). Funding: People’s Transportation Plan bond program funds. Outcome: approved (unanimous). - CEI professional services umbrella (SPD project E23TP04, contract 20230116): Recommend award to ADA Engineering Inc., Ally Engineering Services Inc., HBC Engineering Company, and SRS Engineering Inc., total not to exceed $22,000,000 (inclusive of contingency). Purpose: construction engineering and inspection for multiple projects in the five‑year plan. Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Adopt FY2026 OCITT strategic objectives: Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Submit proposed FY2026 OCITT budget: Outcome: approved (unanimous).

Why it matters: The trust’s recommendations are required before the Board of County Commissioners considers awards that use PTP bond funds; the CEI umbrella approval is intended to speed procurement of inspection services for multiple PTP and other funded projects in the county’s five‑year plan. The budget vote establishes OCITT’s priorities heading into the county budget process.

What’s next: The trust will forward its recommendations and the proposed budget to the county mayor and Board of County Commissioners for final action. If the county’s projected surtax collections remain lower than earlier internal estimates, OCITT staff said they will postpone hiring a proposed new position and limit spending to keep administrative costs under the 1% guideline.