Council approves Valley Metro IGA; Ride Choice eligibility to require ADA qualification starting July 1

The Fountain Hills Town Council approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Valley Metro to continue the town’s Ride Choice program, and staff outlined eligibility and fare changes set to take effect July 1.

Deputy Town Manager David Trimble said the council directed staff to tighten Ride Choice eligibility and revise the fare structure "to try to get those costs in line with the monies that we have coming in," describing roughly $60,000 per year the town receives from regional Arizona Lottery funds as the principal local funding source for the service. "Residents will no longer automatically be qualified if they're over age 65. They do have to qualify with a disability…through the process with Valley Metro," he said.

Trimble told the council staff had held qualification events and that 20 people across two events qualified under the ADA-based process; one additional event was planned. He said the town expects to rely on existing fund balances in FY26 and FY27 while the program transitions to the new eligibility and fare rules.

After discussion, a motion to approve the resolution was made and the clerk recorded the roll-call result as 6–1, with one councilmember voting "No." Council discussion highlighted the program’s value to residents who lack alternatives and the town’s intention to preserve service without using general-fund dollars.

Staff said ongoing qualification and administration will continue via Valley Metro processes and community-center assistance. The council did not attach additional conditions to the IGA at the meeting.