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Transit millage underspend builds reserve; airports report accounting adjustment tied to depreciation
Summary
Transit officials said the millage is generating predictable revenue and underspent funds are reserved for future transit capital and operations; airports staff reported a one‑time overstatement tied to cost‑center reorganization and an accounting change that increased depreciation recognition, and said operating expenses are otherwise steady.
Eli Cooper, Oakland County transit manager, told commissioners that the transit millage revenues are generally predictable and that the county has underspent the millage collections in recent years; those unspent funds are carried forward in a special reserve account for future capital and operating needs, including vehicle purchases and potential operator facilities.
"In a word, we've underspent the millage collected," Cooper said, adding that the county continues to support five transit operators and has funded local projects like sidewalks, bus shelters and planning using millage proceeds.
Cheryl, director of airports, presented the airport business plan and described an accounting and cost‑center reorganization that produced an overstatement of airport expenses by approximately $636,261 across cost centers. The department said it will correct the presentation (the presenter described a net adjustment to operating figures) and noted that airports remain largely self‑funded through charges for services while relying on federal and state grants for large infrastructure projects. Cheryl said personnel levels are stable (about 30–32 filled positions plus seasonal help) and that airport operations remain steady.
Commissioners asked for clarification about grant accounting and the timing of recognizing project costs; fiscal staff explained that the county is moving to quarterly percentage‑of‑completion entries for state‑managed airport projects to recognize costs in the periods incurred rather than waiting for final state closeout statements. The committee did not take a vote on any item.
