09-23-2024 Personnel & Finance Committee Meeting Minutes

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CITY OF SOUTH BENI) OFFICE OF THE CLERK expanding its ridership programs. The K-12 Summer Travel Program saw a record-setting thirty- seven thousand (37,000) rides in June, July, and August. Retaining fleet operators has been challenging, but Transpo is close to being fully staffed. The 2025 budget has increased by sixteen thousand dollars ($16,000) over the 2024 budget. Most of the tax revenue is from property taxes, about four million dollars ($4,000,000) annually. Two hundred and sixty thousand dollars ($260,000) come from the excise tax, and eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000) from the local income tax. The Public Mass Transportation Fund (PMTF) funds all public transportation agencies state-wide. This funding has not been increased in ten (10) years. The Federal funding will be down nearly twenty percent (20%) in 2025. It is one dollar ($1) to ride the fixed route service and two dollars($2) for the paratransit service. It costs Transpo about eight dollars($8)for a fixed route ride and twelve dollars($12)for a paratransit ride.Leased revenue is down as Transpo has one(1)parking garage left that it leases to the City. That lease will end in 2025,and ownership of the parking garage will be turned over to the City. Seventy-seven percent (77%) of the Transpo budget are wages and benefits.Transpo has a four(4)year contract with the fixed route employees, which increases wages and allows employees to get to their cap in three (3) years instead of five (5)years.A fuel feasibility study is being conducted to be eligible for Federal grants that require a zero percent (0%) emissions fleet. Fuel expenses have remained flat. From 2021 through 2023, Transpo has had clean financial audits. The operating budget has increased as Transpo has come closer to being fully staffed.Amy Hill stated that funding uncertainty is always an issue. State and Federal funding for public transportation is uncertain in the next few years. Ridership continues to increase at ninety percent (90%) of pre-pandemic levels. Requests for additional services have been noted as a part of the CONNECT Transit Plan, and long-term funding is needed. There are plenty of employment opportunities in Transpo. Committee Chair Niezgodski thanked Amy Hill for the presentation. Committee Chair Niezgodski stated that she serves on the Transpo Committee and that Transpo is thorough with its budgeting. Committee Chair Niezgodski held the public hearing, and nobody spoke. Committee Vice Chair Warner motioned to send Bill No. 51-24 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation, which was seconded by Committee Member Lee and carried via a vote by voice. With no further business, Committee Chair Niezgodski adjourned the Personnel & Finance Committee meeting at 4:55 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, r Sheila Niezgodski, Committee Chair NOTICE FOR REARING AND SIGHT IMPAIRED PERSONS Auxiliary Aid or Other Services maybe Available upon Request at No Charlie. Please Give Reasonable Advance Request when Possible EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Blvd. South Bend,Indiana 46601 p.574.235.9221 f.574.235,9173 www.southbendin.gov