Kootenai County approves six-month extension for Metz Group contract to finish human services transportation plan

Chad Engel of the Kootenai County transit department told commissioners the county will extend the performance period of its agreement with the Metz Group by six months to complete data collection, service-provider engagement and analysis needed to finish the human services transportation plan.

Engel said the extension carries no additional expense and that legal counsel had reviewed the amendment. He described the data-gathering effort as a requirement of the county’s funding and said the plan involves outreach to multiple human-services providers to document transit needs and set goals.

A commissioner asked how often the plan must be completed; Engel said the plan is generally prepared every three to five years and the county was a bit overdue on this cycle. With no further questions, commissioners voted to approve the first amendment extending the Metz Group performance period. The motion passed with all commissioners present voting yes.

Why it matters: the human services transportation plan is tied to funding requirements and helps shape county transit priorities and service changes. The extension is intended to give staff and the consultant more time to collect provider and client information before finalizing the plan.