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Regional reports: CATA fare increase, Token Transit, new CEO; CNET viewership and COG vehicle grant shortfall
Summary
Board heard regional updates: CATA announced a fare increase and Token Transit rollout and named a new CEO; CNET reported steady local programming and viewership metrics; COG finance discussion flagged a $30,000–$40,000 grant shortfall that could delay electric vehicle purchases and noted an EMS funding gap the board may address through committee advocacy.
At its Aug. 19 meeting, the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors received several regional updates from Center Area Transportation Authority (CATA), CNET, and the Centre Region COG finance committee that touched on transit, local media access and pending capital decisions.
Rob DeMeo, representing CATA, said the authority donated 10 buses to LA Metro for the 2028 Olympics, approved a fare increase from $2.20 to $2.50, implemented Token Transit to reduce cash handling and had approved its budget for the current fiscal year. He also announced the hiring of Todd Horsley as incoming CEO and said an introduction to local boards is planned in the fall. "We did approve our budget for this current fiscal year," he told supervisors, and noted staff will report further on state-budget risks to transit funding.
Leslie Lang and CNET staff reported CNET produced 527 programs in 2024, uses closed captioning broadly, and that five-year averages determine member dues; the board asked for clarification of viewership metrics, and CNET staff said an average board meeting receives roughly 126 combined views across platforms. Board members praised CNET’s accessibility work and encouraged continued use of captioning and on-demand archives.
On regional procurement and finance, supervisors heard that the vehicle purchase program—intended to use grant funds to buy electric vehicles for shared use—faces an approximate $30,000–$40,000 shortfall in grant funding. Finance committee members said vehicles will not be purchased if COG cannot make up that shortfall. The committee also noted potential budget impacts from tariff changes next year.
The board discussed EMS funding needs raised by a supervisor, who described an ask of roughly $150,000 to fill local EMS gaps and urged a coordinated municipal advocacy effort to change a state law that currently limits insurer billing to only transported patients.
Staff and committee chairs said more detailed financial workshops and follow-ups will be scheduled in September for formula review and fund-balance discussions.
