Kootenai County discusses $396,000 FTA grant and $99,000 local match to replace four paratransit buses
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Summary
County transit staff told commissioners they are seeking $396,000 in FTA 5310/5339 funds plus a $99,000 jurisdictional cash match to replace four end-of-life paratransit buses, citing safety and maintenance risks; the board deferred action and staff said the items will return March 3 or March 10.
Kootenai County transit staff told the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 24 that the county is pursuing a grant agreement (C2579KC) with the Idaho Transportation Department to replace four paratransit vehicles using FTA 5310/5339 funds. Chad Engle, transit department staff, said the grant covers $396,000 with a $99,000 jurisdictional cash match contributed by participating cities.
"This includes $396,000 in grant funding with $99,000 in jurisdictional cash match," Engle said, adding the request is for replacement of four end-of-life paratransit vehicles. Engle said the vehicles are 2016 Chevrolet Express models that have met or exceeded Federal Transit Administration useful-life standards and are experiencing major mechanical failures, including transmissions, engines and electrical systems.
County leadership noted the maintenance budget is structured for preventive maintenance, not full engine or transmission replacements. "A single engine replacement costs about $10,000 and a transmission about $7,000," the meeting record states, and staff warned that repeated major repairs would deplete funds needed for mandated preventive maintenance and risk service interruptions for paratransit riders.
Engle said the grant and matching funds are designated specifically for vehicle replacement and would not expand service, add routes, increase staffing or raise the operating budget. The county will seek jurisdictional cash matches from Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Dalton Gardens, Huetter and Hayden to fulfill the $99,000 match requirement. Commissioners did not take a final vote and staff said the items will be returned to the board on March 3 or March 10.
The public comment period included a request that the board disclose who will pay the $99,000 match and precisely what it will purchase when the board reaches the item; county staff noted participating jurisdictions contribute the match.
Next steps: staff will return the grant agreement and related purchase orders to the board for formal approval at a subsequent meeting.
