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Perry approves SATA contribution
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Wednesday, August 20, 2008 10:06 AM EDT
PERRY - The City Council approved an approximately $4,300 contribution to the Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency Tuesday night.
The sometimes-heated discussion went on for more than an hour.
Two council members voted against the action, Councilman Terry Wood and Mayor Pro-Tem Tom Chaput.
“I believe this is a wonderful program and I am fully in support of economical, effective mass transit for all citizens of Perry, but what started out as a voluntary contribution for one year only in 2005 to help SATA out of a financial bind, became a demand in 2006 with threat of discontinuation of service or a massive increase in rider rates,” Chaput said, reading from a prepared statement. “The city council in 2005 did not intend for this to become a yearly contribution by the city of Perry, particularly at this rate of growth.”
Wood agreed with Chaput's concern regarding the rapid increase in the amount of money requested.
“The rate this has been increasing is phenomenal,” Wood said. “This isn't the rate of inflation; this is just tremendously big.”
Perry began contributing to SATA in 2005 and contributed about $700. For the 2009 fiscal year, its approximate $4,300 contribution is more than six times its original costs.
The issue was discussed extensively at Perry's last council meeting on July 15, but was eventually tabled.
David Ray, Perry's representative on the SATA board, spoke to the council before any decision was made.
Ray said the amount of money asked for contribution has risen in proportion with the amount of riders. The number of riders SATA had in Perry in 2004 was 431. This number has now jumped to 2,856 in 2008.
“It appears our requests for contributions keeps going up and up instead of away. Is SATA ever going to be self-sufficient so that local contributions are not needed?” Ray said. “In short, the answer is no.”
He also said the cost per ride for citizens has changed very little. Ridership costs in 2004 was about $1.65, and is now about $1.50.
“I think we can make a safe assumption SATA has been responsible,” Councilman James Huguelet said. “They have been very consistent in what they're asking us per rider...Given how much the price of gas has increased between 2004 and 2008, I'm amazed.”
Tom Willson, a citizen of Perry and former councilman, also recommended the council not agree to the contribution.
“It's hard not to support public transportation...However, I can't support this funding request at this time,” Willson said. “(SATA) needs to change their business model so it meets the needs of the public at a cost the public can afford. At this point it appears they continue to have difficulty keeping their costs in line with their revenue. So, they keep coming back to the trough for more money.”
In addition to Perry, other participating municipalities with SATA are Corunna, Durand, Owosso, Caledonia Charter Township, and as of last week, Shiawassee Township. Contributing municipalities see lower fares and increased route availability.
Councilman Mark Landers was pleased the council finally decided to approve SATA's request.
“I think we made the right decision for the community,” Landers said. “It's the responsibility as a community to support and help those who can't help themselves.”
- Contact Michael Peterson at 725-5136 extension 223 or mpetersonarguspress@gmail.com.