GCTA sets 2021 budget

POMEROY-The Garfield County Transportation Authority (GCTA) board set the 2021 budget which includes salary and wage increases based on a newly adopted policy, at the meeting November 16, 2020.

The 2021 GCTA Budget was designed to include salary and wage increases based on a longevity step basis. Though more conservative than the other counties’ policies due to the GCTA being a smaller operation, the recommendation was to give the part-time drivers a 3% increase after three years of service, 3% again after five years, and 5% after 10 years. The new policy is intended to encourage retention of drivers and bring in new applicants when an opening occurs.

Also included in the 2021 budget was a 5% increase in the wages for the lead driver, who trains new drivers, and a 3% increase for the two full-time employees (dispatcher and manager) to offset an equivalent negotiated increase for other county employees who will receive extra compensation to their health savings accounts. Also, a 3% cost of living adjustment will be given to all employees in addition to the other increases.

The 2021 GCTA Budget was subsequently approved by the board, with special attention made to the growing reserve account. GCTA Director, Rachel Anderson, explained that with sales tax revenue that they have been receiving since 2017, the GCTA receives on average $15,000 per month, and the reserve account has been growing rapidly to the present amount of $410,000. The goal, she said, is to be able to buy a piece of property to use for storage of the vehicles in the future. The board agreed that the GCTA is in a favorable financial condition at the present.

Several Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) grants are in the works for the GCTA. They recently applied for an expansion grant to enhance operations in the amount of $131,000 to be used over the next two years. They also applied for two capital grants to replace the Ford Flex vehicle with an SUV-type vehicle, as well as to replace the Ford Transit Van. Both vehicles have over 100,000 miles now, and by the time the funds would be received, and the vehicles would be put out of service about a year from now, many more miles would be added as well. These grants are expected to be awarded in April, 2021.

An agreement was received from the WSDOT for the GCTA to approve and accept $7,228 in sales tax equalization funds for the current grant period. The board approved the agreement.

The GCTA also had to amend their American Disability Act (ADA) Policy as requested, to remove some language in the Approved Equipment Section referring to attached foot rests on wheelchairs, and include the requirement for service animals to be on a leash, tether or harness unless it interferes with the person’s disability or hinders the services the animal performs.

The next regular meeting of the GCTA board will be December 21, 2020. The meeting will be conducted by teleconference.