Council OKs five-year, $25,000-per-year contribution to support Hancock Area Transit micro-transit

Findlay City Council on Oct. 7 approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor to commit $25,000 per year for calendar years 2026 through 2030 to the Hancock, Hardin, Wyandot, Putnam Community Action Commission to support the Hancock Area Transit micro-transit system.

Why it matters

The contribution is intended to help establish and operate a micro-transit service in the Hancock area. Council and staff said the city’s contribution will be governed by a contribution agreement or memorandum of understanding (MOU) that ties the payment to a contract and that annual budgetary approval remains discretionary.

Key points from council discussion

- Implementation approach: City staff and the auditor said the contribution will be executed through a simple MOU and tied to a contract so funds are subject to budgetary approval each year, not an irrevocable multi-year obligation.

- Council caution: Council Members raised that future councils can choose not to continue the contribution; the ordinance language and MOU format were intended to provide clarity on how the funds will be managed.

- Other funders: Staff reported additional commitments from private and public partners: Ohio Logistics and Tall Timbers businesses committed $125,000 over five years; Hancock County commissioners have approved support; Hancock County Community Foundation’s support is contingent on the city’s participation and other corporate donors are being solicited.

Vote and next steps

The ordinance was adopted after discussion and amendment; council approved the contribution and directed staff to finalize the MOU/contribution agreement. Staff noted that the city’s annual payment remains subject to annual budget approval.

Ending

Council adopted the ordinance authorizing the contribution and signaled that staff should finalize the contractual agreement and continue outreach to other funders.