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City ponders takeover of transportation program
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
The City of Benson may be getting into the business of senior citizen transportation after announcing a possible take-over of the Catholic Community Services (CCS) program they say will end in 2010.
On Aug. 10, the City Council gave staff permission to move forward with a preliminary transit feasibility study with assistance from the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Jim Cox, the city finance director, and City Manager Glenn Nichols said the city needs to consider taking over the program since CCS will be shutting down the service that is said to provide transport services to about 30 senior citizens per day between Monday and Friday, adding up to 7,600 rides per year.
In a report to the council, Cox said CCS will eliminate the service effective June 30, 2010.
However, on Monday, Charles Fisher, CCS executive director for Southeast Arizona, said they never indicated to Benson staff that they would be halting the program, noting that the Benson community has been extremely supportive in keeping the program going.
Fisher further stated he didn't understand where city officials would have gotten the June 30, 2010, date, since the transit program operates on the federal fiscal year. While the city and state's fiscal year begins July 1, federal programs run between Oct. 1 and Sept. 30.
"CCS is operating the services in Benson, and I don't know anything about closing it on June 30," Fisher said. "We do always encourage partnerships, and we would be more than willing to assist Benson with its study. There was never any agreement on our shutting down this service on June 30 whatsoever. This is August 2009; I cannot predict what will happen at that time next year."
Kathleen Heard, director of teh Southeast Arizona Government Organization (SEAGO) agency on aging, said their contract with CCS does expire on June 30 of next year, and feels its important to look at all options to keep the program going.
"Catholic Community Services has not said anything to me officially, but we are making plans just in case," Heard said. "It is premature to know what's going to happen in 2010, but we are all talking to do the best we can for Benson."
Nichols said last week that it's important that the program remain intact, noting that many of the citizens are given rides to the doctor, to buy groceries, or even to pay bills.
In a brief presentation to City Council on Aug. 10, Cox, the city finance director, said if the city were to take over the program, CCS has promised to donate their van.
But cost is a concern, since preliminary figures show it will cost about $150,000 a year to operate the program.
Heard said it's important to study all options becuase the program is costly.
As part of the feasibility study, Cox said the city is working closely with ADOT because they are hoping to present the study findings and information in a grant application that would reimburse the city $110,000. The Southeast Arizona Governmental Organization is expected to continue contributing about $40,000. The city currently gives the program about $24,000 a year for the service.
In April, CCS did shut a similar program down in Willcox. Until the shutdown date, CCS had provided services in Willcox for 26 years.
However, Fisher contends that support in Benson remains strong, and there are no problems.
CCS has struggled in tough times, noting that when programs are cut or decreased, it's due to a lack of funding. Providing senior citizens with the meal program has also become a constant struggle, with annual fundraisers being vital to keeping the program in tact.
Nichols said while CCS continues to face funding shortages, the city has the ability to at least study the situation, and see if they can take over the transport program.
Cox explained to the council that the city needs the feasibility study to apply for a federal grant. The federal program is the Rural Transportation Program funded by the Federal Transit Administration, which currently provides funding to 18 Arizona communities for transit services.
Cox said ADOT has provided a consultant free of charge to work with city staff to prepare the study that will include the cost and funding to take over the program, resources and operating expenses to maintain the status quo of the current program. The city will also study possible program expansions to open the service to the general public in Benson, and how much it would cost to expand the program, and make it a regional service for residents in the San Pedro Valley.
Cox estimated the study would be complete some time in October, and the city, with council permission, would apply for the federal grant in January. If approved, funding will be available in October of next year.
The City of Benson may be getting into the business of senior citizen transportation after announcing a possible take-over of the Catholic Community Services (CCS) program they say will end in 2010.
On Aug. 10, the City Council gave staff permission to move forward with a preliminary transit feasibility study with assistance from the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Jim Cox, the city finance director, and City Manager Glenn Nichols said the city needs to consider taking over the program since CCS will be shutting down the service that is said to provide transport services to about 30 senior citizens per day between Monday and Friday, adding up to 7,600 rides per year.
In a report to the council, Cox said CCS will eliminate the service effective June 30, 2010.
However, on Monday, Charles Fisher, CCS executive director for Southeast Arizona, said they never indicated to Benson staff that they would be halting the program, noting that the Benson community has been extremely supportive in keeping the program going.
Fisher further stated he didn't understand where city officials would have gotten the June 30, 2010, date, since the transit program operates on the federal fiscal year. While the city and state's fiscal year begins July 1, federal programs run between Oct. 1 and Sept. 30.
"CCS is operating the services in Benson, and I don't know anything about closing it on June 30," Fisher said. "We do always encourage partnerships, and we would be more than willing to assist Benson with its study. There was never any agreement on our shutting down this service on June 30 whatsoever. This is August 2009; I cannot predict what will happen at that time next year."
Kathleen Heard, director of teh Southeast Arizona Government Organization (SEAGO) agency on aging, said their contract with CCS does expire on June 30 of next year, and feels its important to look at all options to keep the program going.
"Catholic Community Services has not said anything to me officially, but we are making plans just in case," Heard said. "It is premature to know what's going to happen in 2010, but we are all talking to do the best we can for Benson."
Nichols said last week that it's important that the program remain intact, noting that many of the citizens are given rides to the doctor, to buy groceries, or even to pay bills.
In a brief presentation to City Council on Aug. 10, Cox, the city finance director, said if the city were to take over the program, CCS has promised to donate their van.
But cost is a concern, since preliminary figures show it will cost about $150,000 a year to operate the program.
Heard said it's important to study all options becuase the program is costly.
As part of the feasibility study, Cox said the city is working closely with ADOT because they are hoping to present the study findings and information in a grant application that would reimburse the city $110,000. The Southeast Arizona Governmental Organization is expected to continue contributing about $40,000. The city currently gives the program about $24,000 a year for the service.
In April, CCS did shut a similar program down in Willcox. Until the shutdown date, CCS had provided services in Willcox for 26 years.
However, Fisher contends that support in Benson remains strong, and there are no problems.
CCS has struggled in tough times, noting that when programs are cut or decreased, it's due to a lack of funding. Providing senior citizens with the meal program has also become a constant struggle, with annual fundraisers being vital to keeping the program in tact.
Nichols said while CCS continues to face funding shortages, the city has the ability to at least study the situation, and see if they can take over the transport program.
Cox explained to the council that the city needs the feasibility study to apply for a federal grant. The federal program is the Rural Transportation Program funded by the Federal Transit Administration, which currently provides funding to 18 Arizona communities for transit services.
Cox said ADOT has provided a consultant free of charge to work with city staff to prepare the study that will include the cost and funding to take over the program, resources and operating expenses to maintain the status quo of the current program. The city will also study possible program expansions to open the service to the general public in Benson, and how much it would cost to expand the program, and make it a regional service for residents in the San Pedro Valley.
Cox estimated the study would be complete some time in October, and the city, with council permission, would apply for the federal grant in January. If approved, funding will be available in October of next year.
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Ron wrote on Aug 27, 2009 6:30 PM: