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Morrow County approves use of transit‑facility funds to buy 14‑passenger vehicle
Summary
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners agreed to set aside funds previously earmarked for a transit facility to buy a 14‑passenger vehicle (approximately $210,000), a move county transit manager said will smooth future vehicle replacement and budgeting amid a large ridership increase.
Morrow County commissioners voted to set aside funds previously committed to a transit facility so the county transit program can purchase a 14‑passenger vehicle. The board approved a motion to use the transit facility funds for the purchase after a staff presentation and discussion of long‑term fleet planning.
Stephen Davis, Morrow County Public Transit manager, told commissioners ridership has surged since he reorganized routes: "we've seen a skyrocket in wrership ... more beyond I think anybody's expectations or what even I thought we could do in that year period." He said the request is intended to avoid multiyear bulk purchases that strain the transit budget, and to allow the county to budget smaller annual matches for ODOT vehicle procurements going forward.
Davis said the vehicle price is roughly $210,000; about $84,000 from the sale of an older coach (vehicle 301) would apply and the request proposes using money that had been set aside for a transit building to cover the remainder. Commissioners discussed the policy implications of using previously earmarked capital funds and asked staff to document commitments so the county can replenish capital reserves in future budget cycles.
The board moved and seconded the set‑aside authorization; a voice vote produced approval with one recorded dissent. The motion directed staff to use the identified transit facility funds for purchase of one 14‑passenger transit vehicle and to return to the board with any contract documents or follow‑up appropriation language required by county finance procedures.
The county will track the vehicle as a county asset and said staff would plan for routine preventative maintenance and future budgeting of ODOT match requirements. The decision preserves the county’s ability to operate the vehicle under the ODOT grant formula while allowing more predictable annual budgeting.
Next steps: staff will return with procurement details and any required budget adjustments for formal appropriation.
