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Committee recommends $993,315 in transit grants, adopts six transit policies and moves transit center work forward
Summary
The committee recommended a combined state and federal FY27 transit grant totaling $993,315, accepted a labor warranty and approved six transit policies; members also heard ridership figures and discussed denied trips and fleet repairs.
The Grundy County Animal Control, Highway and Transit Committee on March 19 recommended that the full county board accept state and federal operating grants totaling $993,315 and approved a set of transit policies and labor protections intended to keep the countys transit program compliant with state and federal rules.
Amanda, transit staff, told the committee the state operating grant for fiscal year 2027 is $878,416 and the federal 5311 allocation is $114,899. "So I am seeking approval from the Committee tonight with a positive recommendation to the full board later tonight," Amanda said, and the committee voted to recommend the resolution authorizing execution and amendment of the Section 53.11 grama agreement and the Public Transportation Applicant Ordinance authorizing Grundy County to provide transportation.
Why it matters: the funding and ordinances are necessary for the county to continue operating and expanding service, and the committee also approved a special warranty intended to provide transportation workers "fair and equitable rights under the U.S. Department of Labor," giving the county a compliance pathway for labor‑related grant conditions.
Committee members also approved six transit‑specific policies—driver training, drug and alcohol testing, preventative maintenance, procurement, financial policies, and Title VI/ADA non‑discrimination—on a single motion and voice vote. Amanda told the committee these are required five‑year updates to ensure federal and state compliance.
Operational details and capacity: Amanda reported 1,527 rides in February, an average of about 80 rides per day. She told members the system denied 60 trips that month; the chair later referenced 63 denied rides when summarizing demand, reflecting a small discrepancy in the meeting record. Amanda said the new scheduling app is improving driver productivity but that vehicle breakdowns and limited driver availability cause peak‑time denials.
On fleet maintenance, Amanda outlined a claim covering three buses totaling $6,680: roughly $1,500 for one bus (rear brakes, tires, lift inspection), $804 for a newer vehicle (oil change, tire rotation, PCV valve) and about $4,300 for the oldest bus (exhaust, brakes, ball joints). Committee members noted the oldest bus had about 264,000 miles and said staff plan to apply for a replacement when grant windows open.
What happens next: the committee recommended the grant resolutions and policies to the full board for formal approval. Amanda said the transit center grant agreement has been approved by the Bureau of Business Services and that a change order to add additional A&E dollars is the next step to prepare the pre‑bid packet for the project.
