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Crawford County approves funding to keep one SEKCAP transit route running
Summary
The Crawford County Commission voted to fund one SEKCAP public transit route from operating reserves for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, enabling the agency to claim state and federal grants that require a local match. Commissioners discussed options for a sustainable local match.
The Crawford County Board of Commissioners approved funding from the county’s Operating Reserves Fund on June 2 to support one SEKCAP general public transportation route from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The 3-0 vote (motion 26-261, moved by Commissioner Carl Wood and seconded by Commissioner Tom Moody) was taken after SEKCAP representative Casey Brown warned that several state and federal grants cannot be used without a required local match.
Brown told the board that the four routes currently in operation account for about $380,000 in State and Federal funds and that unlocking roughly $95,000 in external funding per route requires a local match of approximately $40,000 (about 30%). He said SEKCAP has pursued other local partners but still needs county support to meet grant timelines in June. County Counselor Jim Emerson described operating reserves as a possible one‑time source.
Commissioners discussed where recurring match funding could come from if this support continues. Commissioner Bruce Blair suggested non‑taxpayer sources such as casino revenue or wind‑farm reserves; Commissioner Carl Wood said the casino revenue is already built into the baseline budget and proposed using ARPA interest funds as a short‑term option. Commissioner Tom Moody mentioned landfill funds as another possibility. The board directed staff to review revenue positions and funding sustainability while authorizing the single‑route payment to avoid forfeiting external grants.
Why it matters: Without the local match, SEKCAP risks losing state and federal grants that underpin rural routes. The board’s action preserves at least one route for the coming fiscal year while leaving open a broader discussion about long‑term funding.
Next steps: County staff will review potential funding sources and report back; SEKCAP must meet the grant program’s local‑match deadlines in June for the larger funding package.
