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Committee authorizes temporary transit operations specialist to meet 2026 grant requirements
Summary
Brainerd's committee approved hiring a temporary, part-time transit operations specialist for up to 67 working days in 2026 to handle increased federal and state grant compliance and data verification; staff said the position is budgeted in the 2026 transit budget and is 100% grant-funded.
The Brainerd City Personnel and Finance Committee voted Dec. 15 to authorize hiring a temporary part-time transit operations specialist for 2026 to assist the transit division with grant compliance and workload coverage.
Chris explained that after hiring a full-time transit operations specialist the city found the temporary role helpful to document performance deficiencies and to maintain compliance while staff complete an in-house business model and consider whether to continue with a third-party contractor. "As far as a temporary position, they cannot work more than 67 working days in a year," Chris said. Staff said the position is already accounted for in the 2026 budget and that the transit program is 100% grant-funded; the temporary employee will perform data verification, invoice checks, and documentation required by state and federal grant rules.
Committee members asked whether the work had been vetted by the technical advisory committee; staff said the item is being placed on TAC agendas and that low quorum rates had delayed prior TAC action. Staff said the additional documentation workload is roughly a 30% increase tied to state and federal grant requirements and that the transit budget can absorb the temporary hire.
A motion to authorize hiring the temporary employee carried by voice vote. Staff said they will re-evaluate division and workload needs after the in-house business model is completed and report back to the council as appropriate.
