New van expected soon by GCTA

POMEROY–At the monthly meeting of the Garfield County Transportation Authority, Rachel Anderson, General Manager, announced that a brand new cut-away van is expected to arrive soon. It is currently being fitted and installed with needed equipment. The total cost on the van is $77,327.84, of which the Washington State Department of Transportation will reimburse the GCTA for 80% of the cost, leaving about $17,500 for the GCTA to pay.

The last two vehicles purchased were at no cost to the GCTA. Anderson said that she was not able to get full funding for the new one due to time constraints. She wanted to be able to order the van before the state funding was severely reduced by the recent passing of I-976. Because the new van had already been ordered and was in the process of being made to order and soon to be delivered, the state allowed the purchase to proceed. I-976 is currently under a court-ordered injunction, and has not yet been fully implemented. The new van was needed because one of the currently owned vans has over 200,000 miles logged. It will be kept as an extra van to be used if needed.

The GCTA is still looking for a service, or person, to keep the vehicles cleaned inside and outside. They will be looking into a mobile service, Patriot Power Wash, in Lewiston, which is supposed to be reasonably priced.

The GCTA budget for 2020 was discussed, which included increased wages of 3% for all employees, as well as increases in gas and insurance for vehicles. The increase in wages was approved at the November meeting, except for Rachel Anderson, who serves as the General Manager. In the past she has only reported a portion of the time she spends on GCTA business, at about eight hours per month, for $23.24 per hour. She requested a flat salary of $1,200 per month, and stated that she expects to put in more time in the next year associated with the lawsuit versus the State. The GCTA is part of the lawsuit spurred by the passing of I-976 by the voters in November. After much discussion and suggestions by different board members, it was unanimously approved to increase Anderson’s wages to $27 per hour, for 30 hours per month, which totals $810 per month in salary, plus an additional 15% for benefits.

The next meeting of the GCTA will be Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at 1:15 p.m., held in the board room of the Garfield County Courthouse.