Okaloosa County BOCC — September 3, 2013 — September 3 Regular Meeting — reading text

responded that his department could get a letter out tomorrow. Mr. Harris pointed out the League cannot speak for all cities. Discussion continued. Mr. Parisot felt the Board should go one step further and provide notice to the City of Fort Walton Beach that it should step up for 2015 because those routes could also be eliminated. Mr. Windes said he believes the Board should bear some responsibility to provide public transportation but questioned the depth of the subsidy. He added that he will not vote to stop the system until all possibilities have been exhausted. Upon inquiry by Mr. Windes, Mr. Kampert replied that if the Board does not take action tonight, the problem will be finding the money to operate the system in the next fiscal year. Mr. Windes felt the fares could be increased and the routes re- evaluated within the next sixty days. He also stated he wants the cities to respond before eliminating the system. Mr. Clark Barefield, Baker, said he is also a driver for OCT. He posed questions about funding sources, changing routes and how to get OCT management to change what they are doing. Mr. Barefield felt the Board did have leverage to make OCT make the changes because the county provides the money. He said it is not right to go through this year after year. Mr. Tom Nelson referred to an earlier comment that the Board had no control over OCT but he feels because it supplies the majority of the money, it does have controls. He said it’s called the Golden Rule, the guy with the gold gets to make the rule. Mr. Barry Peterson, OCT, said it sounds as if OCT is resistant to change but it has been making minor changes in the Crestview routes. He noted those changes came from driver recommendations. Mr. Peterson stated supervisors meetings are held each month to discuss remedies. Upon inquiry by Mr. Windes, Mr. Peterson stated drivers do not attend the supervisors’ meetings. Mrs. Coleman again came to the podium and encouraged everyone to work together for a solution. Mr. Amunds closed the public comment period. Mr. Kampert said he believes Board direction is to send out letters to the cities to see if they will consider using new September 3, 2013 -16- Minute Book 70, Page 16 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners revenue from gas taxes for public transportation. Also, a decision needs to be made on increasing fares and/or discontinuing routes. Mr. Boyles stated this is a very difficult issue and we need to look at the big picture. He said cities like New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia have the density to support public transportation but we do not have that here. Mr. Boyles noted the system is already inadequate and it does come down to dollars and cents. Upon inquiry by Mr. Boyles, Mr. Kampert stated there are no routes to Baker, Niceville, or Bluewater Bay. Mr. Boyles stated our county is too big and too rural. He said he feels it is appropriate to fund at last year’s rate. Mr. Boyles said OCT can retool its system. He stated that although he does not expect transit to pay for itself, he does expect the money the county spends to make sense and Okaloosa County is losing money. Mr. Amunds concurred with the same funding level as last year and sending letters to the cities to give them an opportunity to participate in funding public transportation. Mr. Windes stated three commissioners have expressed similar opinions and he will make it four, saying “give them a chance.” Mr. Parisot stated he will make a motion to fund public transportation at last year’s level; to begin the 60-day clock on Routes 11, 12 and 33; and send letters to the cities about participation in the funding. Mr. Windes requested Route 33 be removed from the motion. Mr. Boyles said he assumes the Board could provide a 120-day window for Route 33 rather than 60 days. Mr. Kampert pointed out the policy adopted by the Board is 60 days from the date of the decision. He said another public hearing may be necessary and reiterated any continuation past the 60-day period will require finding funds to operate the system which have not been budgeted. Mr. Parisot withdrew his motion. Mr. Harris said letters were sent to the cities last year regarding financial participation to keep public transportation operational. He stated the cities get the benefits of the system and the county pays the bills. Mr. Harris asked, “Where is the skin in the game for the cities?” He expressed his frustration and asked what happens if this time after the letters are sent, the cities do not agree to participate in Routes 11, 12 and 33. Mr. Boyles answered those routes go away. September 3, 2013 -17- Minute Book 70, Page 17 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Harris commented that he understands people need the system and he will support it if the cities come on line. Mr. Parisot stated the City of Fort Walton Beach has more routes than anyone but none of its routes are in jeopardy this year. He said that may change next year. Mr. Amunds added that nothing says those routes could not be on the chopping block this year. Mr. Parisot stated Route 33 goes into Walton County to Silver Sands Shopping Center, noting they benefit but do not want to contribute. Mr. Windes said he asked about shortening Route 33. Mrs. Birchett responded that route has not been altered. Mr. Harris suggested having only one route in Crestview. Mr. Windes made motion to give the City of Destin 180 days to come up with a plan to fund routes based on fair treatment and importance of the multi-modal plan. Mr. Parisot asked what will happen at the end of the 180 days. Mr. Harris stated there will have to be funding found for that 180 days. Mr. Boyles said that will be Mr. Padgett’s job. He then said he will second the motion if it is understood Route 33 will be cancelled if the funding does not materialize in 180 days. Mr. Amunds said he cannot support 180 days. 4 yeas, 1 nay. (Mr. Amunds voted no.) Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Parisot (for discussion), to eliminate Routes 11 and 12 with the proviso if the City of Crestview comes back within 60 days with a funding source it may continue. Mr. Parisot asked Mr. Peterson to take a look at these routes and see if they can be altered and still provide service. Mr. Parisot clarified the motion is to eliminate Routes 11 and 12 at the end of 60 days unless the City can contribute funding. 5 yeas. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to adopt the fare schedules for all routes as recommended by the department which are highlighted in rectangular boxes on the agenda request. (Copy attached to this page.) 5 yeas. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to put all cities on notice these bus routes will fall under consideration next year if support is not provided. 5 yeas. Mr. Kampert stated the 60-day period for Routes 11 and 12 will end on November 4, 2013. RECESS - The meeting was recessed at 9:50 p.m. and reconvened at 10:03 p.m. September 3, 2013 -18- Minute Book 70, Page 18 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners FY14 FARE INCREASE ESTIMATES Ridership Based on Actual Ridership October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 For Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 14, 20, 30, 32. Routes 11,12 and 33 are not included in the Ridership count due to projected route reductions in FY14 PER USE FARES WAVE ROUTES FWB: 1, 2, 3,4 ISLAND: 20 DESTIN: 30, 32 October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 CURRENT FARES FARE GPTIONS ; Ridership A B | Regular Fare 51,336 - $4.25 8 $1.50 — 10% ridership decline 46,202 $57,753 $69,304 15% ridership decline 43,636 $54,545 $65,453 20% ridership decline 41,069 $51,336 $61,603 October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012: CURRENT FARES FARE GPTIONS Ridership sae A B Reduced Fare 16,757 $0.50" $0.75. 10% ridership decline - 15,081 $7,541 $11,311 15% ridership decline 14,243 $7,122 $10,683 20% ridership decline 13,406 $6,703 $10,054 WAVE EXPRESS ROUTE 14 RE. GPTIONS | October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 | CURRENT FARES ; Ridership A B Regular Fare EXPRESS 6,761 | Te |_ $2.00 10% ridership decline 6,085 $10,649 $12,170 15% ridership decline 5,747 $10,057 $11,494 20% ridership decline 5,409 59,465 $10,818 October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 . CURRENT FARES Ridership Reduced Fare-EXPRESS 1,796 “fe $4.25 10% ridership decline 1,616 $2,021 15% ridership decline 1,527 $1,527 $1,908 20% ridership decline 1,437 $1,437 $1,796 TRANSFERS October 1, 2011 - Septernber 30, 2012 CURRENT FARES oo, . ARE OPTIONS Ridership Zope Oi28 ce A B C Transfers 14,852}° a! = $0.00 -{f- $0.25 $0.50 10% ridership decline 13,367 50 $3,342 $6,683 15% ridership decline 12,624 50 $3,156 $6,312 20% ridership decline 11,882 $0 $2,970 55,941 Packet Pg. 12 31-DAY PASS WAVE ROUTES FWB: 1, 2, 3,4 ISLAND: 20 DES October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 TIN: 30, 32 Jt TIONS. Passes Sold ; ! A B | Regular WAVE Pass 588 1 $30.00 If $35.00. 10% ridership decline 529 $15,876 $18,522 15% ridership decline 500 $14,994 $17,493 20% ridership decline 470 $14,112 $16,464 October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 FARE ORTIONS Passes Sold B Reduced WAVE Pass 2,237 a HL. $17.50 10% ridership decline 2,013 $30,200 $35,233 15% ridership decline 4,901 $28,522 $33,275 20% ridership decline 1,790 $26,844 $31,318 EXPRESS ROUTE 14 October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 RE __..FARE OBTIONS Passes Sold A B | Regular EXPRESS Pass 62 “. $45:00._ | $50,00- 10% ridership decline 56 $2,511 $2,790 15% ridership decline 53 $2,372 $2,635 20% ridership decline 50 $2,232 $2,480 October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 Slo BARE ORTIONS. =. —- Passes Sold - A B Reduced EXPRESS Pass 60} = $22:50 “JP. $25.00 10% ridership decline 54 $1,215 $1,350 15% ridership decline 51 $1,148 $1,275 20% ridership decline 48 51,080 | $1,200 The Simpson-Curtis rule identifies through a series of studies performed over the past thirty years that for every 10 percent increase in fares, there is a 3.3 percent decline in ridership. Increase in fare will TOTALS Ridership (Transfers Excluded ) A B 10% ridership decline 68,985| S$ 127,3601 5 156,041 15% ridership decline 65,153} $ 120,285] $ 147,372 20% ridership decline 61,320] $ 113,209{$ 138,703 ADD TRANSFER FEES TO ABOVE, BASED ON BCC DECISION: Transfers | CURRENTFARES |-:.-_. TRANSFER FARE OPTIONS E A B Cc Transfers __ $600 S025 | $0.50 10% ridership decline SO §3,342 $6,683 15% ridership decline 0) $3,156 $6,312 20% ridership decline 50 52,970 $5,941 Packet Pg. 13 PUBLIC HEARING - PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL LEVY OF FIVE CENTS OF THE LOCAL OPTION GAS TAX Mr. Stanford read the advertised legal notice for public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance providing for an additional levy of five cents of the Local Option Gas Tax on every gallon of motor fuel sold in Okaloosa County. Mr. John Hofstad, Public Works Director, stated considerable time has been spent the past few months discussing gas taxes, specifically Local Option Gas Taxes (LOGT). He said the commissioners are aware of the critical capital and equipment needs. An ordinance has been prepared seeking adoption of three cents to five cents additional LOGT. Mr. Hofstad advised he has prepared a short PowerPoint presentation which includes gas tax history, charts depicting funding based on a five-cent levy and a three-cent levy, CTTF fund revenue versus expenses, stormwater budget fleet repair and maintenance costs, age of fleet, and proposed vehicle and equipment replacements. Upon inquiry by Mr. Parisot, Mr. Hofstad stated the recommended split with the cities is 64/36. He advised that on the three- cent option, the county would receive approximately $1.3 Million in year one (January 2014 through September 2014) and $1.8 Million in subsequent years (which will follow fiscal year period of October 1 through September 30). Mr. Hofstad remarked the Board does not want to see a_ shell game, advising the revenue from this LOGT enactment will be in addition to General Fund contributions and not a replacement of