If the Freeborn County Community Action board and Mower County commissioners sign off on a plan for the agency to operate Mower County Transit, the organization will start the service April 1.

Tuesday, March 19, 2002

If the Freeborn County Community Action board and Mower County commissioners sign off on a plan for the agency to operate Mower County Transit, the organization will start the service April 1.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has been expressing reservations about endorsing the takeover, though it will fund the program.

Freeborn Community Action won a bid for the service last month, with a $35,000 annual contract fee. As an operator, the organization would manage six regular bus routes in Austin, and countywide on-demand riding service MCT currently provides.

While the MCT staff handles day-to-day operation, Freeborn County Community Action will primarily function as a fiscal agent and decision-making authority.

But Community Action Executive Director Collette Turcotte said the organization would add some input, such as cultural diversity training.

MnDOT will fund about $300,000 of the $650,000 annual operating budget in 2002.

But the department expressed reservation about endorsing Community Action’s commitment to the service.

"We found some of expenses in the budget plan are not justifiable," said MnDot District 6 Manager/Planner Jean Meyer. The department is also disturbed by the organization’s lack of experience in public transportation services. The physical presence of the organization outside Mower County is another concern, she said.

MnDOT is conducting a comprehensive audit on the budget, and will continue to scrutinize the fiscal and operational conduct of the organization. MnDOT reserves the right to cancel the funding with 30 days prior notice.

Mower County is basically pleased with the takeover. The county has been looking for an operator since the Senior Center, the former operator, exited last year.

"We hope things will work out and Community Action will manage well," said Bruce Henricks, Mower County Director of Human Services.

Turcotte said, "We will utilize the excellent program and capable staff members that the MCT has. And we are confident that we will learn very quickly from them." She also expects to explore the possibility of connecting the service in Mower County with the existing public transportation system in Freeborn County in the future.

The Community Action board will discuss the matter during a Thursday board meeting.