Commissioners consider restoring $50,000 for Access Transportation Task Force

A commissioner asked the Ellis County Commission on Aug. 4 to put a $50,000 line item back into the budget specifically for the Access Transportation Task Force so the group can resolve service shortfalls and retain leverage for state and federal matching funds. "At this time, I would ask we'd put it back in as the access line item for 50,000, to give this task force time to get this cleared up and get it figured out," the commissioner said.

County Administrator Darren Myers explained why staff moved the allocation to a budget-stabilization account: it keeps the funds in the budget without immediately issuing the subsidy or voucher, and the clerk's office would not release payment until the commission provides direction. Myers said making it a line item helps the task force show dedicated local support when seeking state and federal funds; if the money remains only as unencumbered cash, the task force loses leverage to garner matching funds.

Commissioners described service impacts that prompted the request: they cited the closure of a local grocery store that changed ridership patterns, the loss of Sunday service effective July 1 and the use of reserves to maintain operations. Commissioners discussed options including downsizing the fleet to smaller handicap-accessible vans and adjusting the number of larger buses to reduce operating costs.

No final vote on the $50,000 restoration occurred during the meeting; Myers said staff can leave the allocation in the draft budget as a line item without creating a voucher, and the commission could direct release of funds later in 2027 if needed.