MORGANTOWN — The Mountain Line Transit Authority passed its upcoming 2018-’19 operating budget on Wednesday during its regular monthly meeting.
Mountain Line General Manager David Bruffy explained that the authority’s $6,175,350.69 budget is in flux to some degree as it has been reconfigured alongside more than a dozen bus routes in the run-up to Mountain Line’s Aug. 6 move out of the Garrett Street depot.
The transit authority learned in October that the city wanted it out of the Garrett Street structure ahead of a $4 million project to overhaul the riverfront. After a rushed search for a replacement facility came up empty, the transit authority voted in January to move operations out to its Westover hub.
It is estimated that the move will cost Mountain Line at least $325,000, a number that could climb north of $600,000 once the facility’s gravel lower lot is paved and a security fence is built.
Bruffy said he’s tracking all expenditures tied to the move.
Transit Board Member Denny Poluga suggested presentations be made before Morgantown City Council and the Monongalia County Commission as both will soon know how much money they’ll carry over from the current fiscal year.
Poluga said that the presentation could include an explanation of route changes as well a funding request to help offset the cost of the hurried relocation.
“I would suggest we move, even if we don’t have the total number, before they spend their carryover money,” Poluga said. “They’ll know soon what their carryover monies are, and if we’re not at the front of the line, then we’re at the back of the line. I’d rather be at the front.”
Bruffy said the transit board’s capital escrow budget includes $1.6 million from the West Virginia Department of Public Transit for new bus purchases, giving the authority a total of $3 million in the spending plan for new vehicles.
“That will buy six heavy-duties and about four of the smaller buses,” Bruffy said. “We have to provide a local match. The buses are an 80-20 [match] and the state is granting us $1.6 million. We have another $800,000 in other sources.”
The authority sets aside $500,000 in dedicated levy funds each year for vehicle replacement.
The budget also reflects an increase in personnel expenditures, from $1.4 million in the current budget to $1.9 million. A 3 percent cost of living increase for Mountain Line employees is also included.
Bruffy said there is a $1 million operating reserve built into the spending plan as a contingency against disruption in federal transit funds and nearly $1 million in rainy-day dollars.
In other news from Wednesday’s meeting, Mountain Line recognized 19-year employee and Assistant Manager Wayne Pifer as the organization’s Employee of the Year. Tom Jones was named Mountain Line’s Driver of the Year.
The transit authority also approved:
A $621,800.25 contract with James River, of Virginia, to provide fuel and fuel additives
Renewal of the $70,000 service agreement with Senior Monongalians
Renewal of the $158,000 West Run service agreement
Renewal of its towing contract with Ervin’s Auto Repair and Towing.
Morgantown Area News
'Friday, April 19, 2024'
