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COIC urges Crook County to back STIF application to buy vehicle for veteran transport
Summary
COIC staff told the Crook County commissioners the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund can support a county‑owned vehicle donated to Band of Brothers to provide veteran transport, and that COIC will assist with reporting and the procurement process.
Derek Hoffower, outreach and engagement administrator with the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, briefed the Crook County commissioners on Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) procedures and a prospective application from the Band of Brothers volunteer group for a vehicle to transport veterans.
Hoffower said regional ridership on Cascades East Transit has increased about 4–5% and that many services remain fare‑free. He told commissioners STIF projects are prioritized by a county advisory committee and that project applications are due to the county on Monday ahead of an advisory committee meeting scheduled for Oct. 23.
On the veteran transportation request, Hoffower said COIC expects Band of Brothers to apply for a roughly $50,000 vehicle (suggesting an all‑wheel‑drive SUV as an example). He described a feasible path in which the county would procure the vehicle with STIF funds and then donate it to the volunteer organization; COIC would support the group’s required reporting, vehicle maintenance plan and mileage logs.
"I'm expecting them to put in an application for $50,000, and I'll support them on that," Hoffower said, adding there are carryover STIF funds from the prior biennium that could help finance requests.
Hoffower noted some ODOT requirements—such as title and reporting obligations—would remain, and that a county‑owned vehicle with proper procurement and documentation would meet eligibility criteria. The advisory committee will review and rank projects before the county takes action, and Hoffower said staff will return to the board with a prioritized project list, likely in November prior to Thanksgiving.
Commissioners asked about reporting burdens for volunteer groups; Hoffower said COIC can assist and that minimal maintenance and ride‑log reporting would be sufficient if the county holds title and donates the vehicle to Band of Brothers.
No formal county action was taken at the Oct. 9 work session; staff asked to place reappointment items and the STIF project list on a future consent or regular agenda for formal approval.
