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Jonesboro approves three-year transit deal with Arkansas State University, adds drivers to budget
Summary
Council approved a three-year transit service agreement with Arkansas State University worth $518,281.92 per year and amended the FY2025 budget to add funding for four full-time drivers and two paratransit positions; students are expected to ride with student ID under the agreement as written.
Jonesboro City Council voted Aug. 5 to authorize a three-year transit service agreement with Arkansas State University and amend the FY2025 budget to add positions needed to meet the contract’s service levels.
The resolution outlines an annual fee of $518,281.92 to be paid by Arkansas State University to the city to cover staffing, equipment, depreciation, fuel and related transit costs. Council also approved a $259,000 amendment to the FY2025 budget to fund four full-time drivers and two full-time paratransit drivers, including salaries and benefits.
Resident Patty Lack said she supported the partnership but questioned how the city would hire and schedule four full-time drivers for a route described in the staff summary as operating 13 hours a day, and asked whether part-time hires could cover the workload. John Thompson, a student leader and resident at campus housing, urged passage and said the student body would benefit if students could show a student ID to ride free.
The council approved the agreement and budget amendment; staff said the mayor or his designee is authorized to execute the agreement pending city attorney review.
What happens next: city staff will proceed with hiring and rostering decisions and implement the revenue and budget amendments for transit operations.
