Transit awaiting Supreme Court ruling

POMEROY––The Garfield County Transportation Authority (GCTA), and a number of other counties in the state, are awaiting a ruling from the Washington State Supreme Court, GCTA commissioners heard at its July meeting.

Jeff Ruchert, GCTA Manager, stated the Supreme Court held a hearing about the lawsuit on June 20, 2020, but no announcements have been made yet as to any decisions made by the Court.

The effect of the initiative would remove a substantial amount of needed funding from the State for the GCTA.

The GCTA has been involved with several other Washington counties in a lawsuit to block the implementation of Initiative 976, which would cap taxes on certain automobiles at $30 and nullify transportation benefit districts and other local vehicle taxes. It passed by 53%, and in Garfield County, passed by 57.59%.

In other business, all drivers and passengers are now required to wear face masks at all times, due to the governor’s latest face mask mandate. All other requirements by the State for Phase 3 of the Governor’s Safe Start Plan have remained the same for the GCTA.

Three qualified applicants for the open part-time driver position were interviewed Thursday, July 23, 2020. Mayor Paul Miller, and County Commissioner Bob Johnson, will assist with the interviews.

The GCTA’s oldest cutaway bus was sold as surplus at auction for $4,200. The buyer was from Leavenworth, Wash.

The next meeting of the GCTA will be August 17, 2020, at 1:15 p.m., at the Garfield County Courthouse.