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Board approves new transportation contract; staff warns of levy impact
Summary
After a competitive process, the district approved a sole bid for transportation services (Harlo), with staff saying rising insurance and maintenance costs drove a substantial per‑route rate increase and estimating an added elementary transportation levy of roughly $90,978 (about 9 mills, approximately $6 per $100,000 of assessed value).
Staff briefed the board on the recent transportation bidding process after a contract renewal exceeded the 12% renewal threshold. Staff said Harlo was the only bidder and requested approval of the new contract, citing sharply higher insurance, maintenance and labor costs for bus operators and noting a plan to increase driver wages to improve recruitment. “Their insurance premiums have seen substantial increases which impact the cost of doing business… the proposed rate increase would allow them to implement a 50% increase in driver wages,” the staff member told the board.
Staff presented estimated taxpayer impacts: an additional elementary transportation levy of roughly $90,978 (about nine mills), which the presenter summarized as approximately $6 per $100,000 of assessed value. The board approved the contract; staff also noted Harlo plans to reduce average bus age in coming years (presenter estimated the fleet average would fall from 15 years to roughly 13 years with planned purchases).
