Title
City of Alachua Transit System Request for Endorsement and Funding (B)
This item involves a request from Clovis Watson, Jr., City of Alachua Manager, on behalf of the City of Alachua Transit System (CATS) that the City of Gainesville Commission endorse and commit funds for the FY 2008 CATS Business Plan.
Explanation
In a letter dated September 5, 2007 Clovis Watson Jr., City of Alachua Manager, requests that the City of Gainesville Commission endorse the FY 2008 CATS Business Plan. The preliminary budget projections indicate a total operating budget of approximately $182,000 for FY 2008. The business model seeks support from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Alachua County, and the City of Gainesville. Mr. Watson is asking Alachua County and the City of Gainesville for a contribution of $36,000.
The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners responded to the request in a letter dated September 12, 2007. The letter from Chair Paula M. DeLaney explained that they are not prepared to write a letter of support for the CATS Business Plan at this time, and will need more information before considering any financial commitment. The County requested that Mr. Watson or the City of Alachua Mayor, Gib Coeper, present the business plan to the County Commission and representatives from the City of Gainesville, Regional Transit System, and the MTPO/North Central Florida Regional Planning Council as they feel this should be addressed in a coordinated manner.
City staff requested the City of Alachua staff provide more detailed information on the CATS Business Plan but the only information available is that the CATS proposed budget includes $127,000 for operations and $55,000 for marketing. Currently, CATS transports two passengers per day to from the City of Gainesville to the City of Alachua.
Fiscal Note
The City of Alachua requests funding in the amount of $18,000 from the City of Gainesville.
Recommendation
The City C...
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