Osage County commissioners on Oct. 28 approved a letter committing local matching funds of $145,000 from the county general fund to support the county’s general public transportation grant application to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Franny (Franny Dieters), identified in the meeting as representing General Transportation, told commissioners the KDOT grant pays roughly half of ongoing operating expenses for local transit and requires an annual local match. Dieters described monthly operating reimbursements and the reporting requirements tied to the grant; she said the program currently provides roughly $1,200–$13,000 per month in reimbursements (figures discussed during the presentation showed variability depending on the reporting period and items included). Dieters asked for the commission’s annual letter of commitment guaranteeing the local match; she said the match funds are drawn from the county’s general fund but administered through the county’s general public transportation budget.

Commission action: the chair asked for a motion to approve a “letter of request for a local commitment for general public transportation in the amount of $145,000.” A motion was made, seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript shows commissioners voted in favor and the motion carried. Staff said the letter carried a November 20 date for the grant form and advised commissioners a stamp or subsequent signature could be applied if the chair is not available immediately.

Why it matters: the letter is a routine annual commitment to secure KDOT operating funds for county transportation services. Commissioners and the presenter discussed driver staffing challenges and demand for services—Dieters said the program is undersubscribed on drivers and sometimes must decline trips because of staffing shortages—and encouraged continued recruitment for part-time drivers.

Follow up: county staff will finalize and sign the match letter (using the chair’s signature or stamp if necessary) and submit it with the KDOT grant paperwork.