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SEKCAP asks Crawford County for transit funding to keep rural routes running
Summary
SEKCAP officials told the Crawford County commissioners they need $65,099 to finish 2026 county routes and are requesting up to $290,000 to fund county transit service in 2027, citing lost grants, reduced ARPA funds and decreasing local contributions.
SEKCAP Community Engagement Coordinator Casey Brown and colleagues asked the Crawford County Board of Commissioners on March 10 for county support to sustain rural public transit service.
Brown said SEKCAP’s county route network has been reduced by service cuts and funding shortfalls; presenters told the board SEKCAP needs $65,099 to complete 2026 operations for two general-public county routes and is making a broader request of about $290,000 to fund county service for all of 2027. They also estimated two full county routes would cost roughly $80,000 annually.
Jamie Whitney and Mr. Christiansen, who accompanied Brown, told commissioners that a decline in grant funding and exhaustion of ARPA allocations have created the immediate shortfall. They said City of Pittsburg now fully funds the city route but other partners—including a local hospital—have reduced support as their service demand changed. Brown said SEKCAP is speaking with the cities of Girard and Arma about possible contributions.
Commissioner Carl Wood asked for detail on what has driven increased costs; presenters cited fuel, vehicle and labor costs, lost grants and reductions in other local contributions. Commissioner Bruce Blair asked whether the group had a timeline; presenters said the 2027 request is being presented now so it may be considered in the county’s budget process and that the 2026 request covers operations through June 2027. Commissioners asked SEKCAP to provide written budget and funding details following discussions with the state; Mr. Whitney said they would.
No formal county funding decision was made at the meeting. The presenters asked the commission to consider adding the requests to the county’s budget process; commissioners indicated the requests would be reviewed during budget deliberations.
Next steps: SEKCAP will provide follow-up documentation and the commissioners will consider the requests during the 2026–27 budget process.
