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Citrus Connection asks Winter Haven to consider 4% municipal rate increase as ridership data shifts
Summary
Aaron Killebrew of Citrus Connection presented ridership trends and proposed a 4% municipal contribution increase, noting data gaps after a mid‑March system change and urging discussion of a one‑ or two‑year approach as county and state funding remain uncertain.
Aaron Killebrew of the Lakeland Area Mass Transit District (Citrus Connection) told the Winter Haven City Commission the agency is recommending a 4% increase to municipal contributions after holding rates steady for several years. Killebrew said the rise would help cover higher fuel and maintenance costs and the agency’s post‑COVID service adjustments.
Killebrew warned commissioners that ridership figures are incomplete for part of fiscal 2025 because the agency stopped using its Avail counting system in mid‑March, and he said the presented city counts reflect only trips that start or stop at municipal stops (excluding riders covered under institutional contracts such as Polk State and Polk County School Board). “We feel like 4% is fair,” he said, adding that the board developed a year‑one and year‑two proposal but understands some municipalities may only approve a one‑year increase given legislative uncertainty.
Commission members asked about county support and how other cities had reacted. Killebrew said county funding to Citrus Connection was about $4.3 million this year and that other municipalities were being asked to adopt the same 4% uplift; in some smaller jurisdictions the increase had been re‑scoped to one year following recent special‑session developments. He emphasized the agency’s effort to be transparent about count methodology and municipal cost allocation.
The presentation closed with staff and commissioners agreeing the topic would be part of upcoming budget work sessions where the commission will weigh transit against other priorities. No formal vote appeared in the transcript; staff framed the item as a recommendation for the upcoming formal meeting.
