College Board Indicates Interest In Helping Fund Regional Bus Line

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By Tammy Gray-Searles
    An agreement to help fund a regional bus line between Show Low and Holbrook received informal approval from the Navajo County Community College District Governing Board during a work session Tuesday.
    If the agreement is approved, the college will contribute $7,595 of the $61,948 still needed to fund the bus line this fiscal year. That amount, and the agreement, is contingent upon six other government agencies agreeing to contribute. Those agencies include the towns of Pinetop-Lakeside, Snowflake and Taylor, and the cities of Show Low and Holbrook, which would contribute $7,595 each, and Navajo County, which would contribute $30,378. The agreement does not make any provisions for, or mention of what would occur if any of the agencies decide not to participate.
    The agreement also commits each agency to contributing $6,195 each year in 2009 and 2010, except for Navajo County, which would contribute $24,778 in years two and three of the three-year agreement.
    Staff members recommended that the board approve the agreement, noting that a public bus route be-tween Show Low and Holbrook, with stops in Snowflake, would provide students easy access to several campuses. It was noted that the bus service would also reduce costs for Northland Pioneer College (NPC) employees who commute.
    A written recommendation for approving the agreement noted, “Staff expressed enthusiasm about the Regional Connector Transit Services being expanded through a partnership of several area municipalities and Navajo County. Staff’s interest lies primarily in the potential ability of NPC students and employees to benefit from improved regular and affordable transportation. Staff communicated to the partnership an interest in purchasing a large block of tickets from the regional service.”
    The majority of the proposed bus line is being funded by an Arizona Department of Transportation grant that was applied for and will be administered by the City of Show Low. The grant requires matching funds, which is why the communities along the route and the county are being asked to contribute.
    As proposed, the agreement notes, “Each participant’s participation in the SH 77 (bus route between Show Low and Holbrook) service area project is financial and advisory in nature. The participants will have no day-to-day role in the operation of the transit system.”
    The agreement is expected to be brought before the board again for formal approval.
    In other action Aug. 19, the board:
    * Tabled consideration of proposed bylaws for the Northern Arizona Regional Training Center (NATC).
    Board members noted that they would like to see some of their recommended changes implemented before approving the bylaws.
    * Approved intergovernmental agreements with the following school districts for educational services: Snowflake, Sanders, Round Valley, Piñon, Joseph City, Winslow, Window Rock, Heber-Overgaard, Blue Ridge, Cedar, Kayenta, Show Low and Holbrook, and Hopi Junior/Senior High School.
    * Ratified an emergency purchase of software licensing for $24,361.24.
    Staff members noted that payment was made in order to avoid default because it was due on July 31.
    * Approved a three-year agreement for college-wide software licensing for an amount not to exceed $25,000 the first year, and $30,000 in the second and third years.
    * Approved an expenditure of $82,000 for heavy equipment for the Heavy Equipment Program.
    The funds will come from a Carl Perkins Grant.
    * Approved reimbursement of $30,800.19 to the Town of Taylor for bond payment made in relation to the NATC burn tower.
    The next board meeting will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Painted Desert Campus in Holbrook. A work session will be held at 9:30 a.m. prior to the regular meeting.