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Trumbull County transit reports dip in trips and a $250,000 ODOT award; commissioners probe local match and vendor conflicts
Summary
Transit administrator reported January ridership down about 120 trips year-over-year and that ODOT awarded $250,000 for 2027 under the 53.10 program. Commissioners discussed local-match arrangements, the timing of funds, and whether the county’s grant-writing arrangements create conflicts of interest.
Trumbull County’s transit administrator reviewed January service data and grant awards during the March 10 workshop, telling commissioners that the system ran 3,480 trips in January 2026 compared with 3,560 in the prior year — a difference of roughly 120 trips — and that cancellations and no-shows accounted for many missed trips.
“We did 3,480 trips. This year and last year we did 3,560 trips. Difference of about a 120 trip,” Mike Salem, transit administrator, said as he walked commissioners through the operating report, noting weather and a high number of cancellations and no-shows in January.
Salem also said the county received $250,000 in ODOT 53.10 funds for 2027, down from about $436,000 in 2026; the reduced award reflects other area nonprofits and municipalities that requested buses in the current cycle, he said. The $250,000 award will be available to spend beginning July 1, 2026, with funds applied in fiscal 2027.
Commissioners raised concerns about the local match and whether grants awarded to other jurisdictions or nonprofits could reduce Trumbull County’s allocation. Diane Jakovic, senior living administrator who assists with transit budgeting, said local-match commitments are in place (senior levy, transit, and board of DD) and that the county has historically not used the full match each year. Jakovic said local match budgeting should cover the 2027 award.
A commissioner also flagged a potential conflict: Salem noted the county works with an outside grant-writing firm that had prepared at least one of the applications now receiving funds and asked whether that could be a conflict of interest in future grant work. Legal counsel advised commissioners to consult the ethics commission for guidance if they have specific concerns about conflicts.
Why it matters: 53.10 awards fund vehicle purchases and transit operations for nonprofits and governmental agencies. Reduced awards can force scheduling adjustments, change local-match needs or delay vehicle replacements for partner agencies. Commissioners asked staff to track deadlines and ensure continuity of service while the county manages match and administrative oversight.
Next steps: staff will monitor grant rules, confirm the match schedule, and consult appropriate ethics guidance if conflict concerns persist. The board did not take a formal vote on programmatic changes at the workshop.
