COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL & ETHNIC DIVERSITY

MINUTES

JANUARY 22, 2003

MEMBERS:  YOUNG, BRONZ

STAFF:  ETTERE, CHANG

OTHERS:  BILL RANDOLPH (CE OFFICE)

The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m.

Nicole Farkus is the Hudson Valley Coordinator for the Tri State Transportation Campaign and is here to discuss the proposed fare hikes for the Westchester County Bee-Line System.  She expressed their concerns and the possible effects the proposed fare hikes will have on the working public.  Ms. Farkus also noted that it has been stated that the proposed fare hike will be the result in an effort to fill a 4.4 million dollar gap in the County Budget and questioned if the percentage (which varies 25% to 50%) increase was to balance the Bee-Line Budget or the County Budget.  Ms. Farkus further indicated that the figures do not seem to add up and that the percentage increase seems to overwhelmingly exceed the amount of money needed to fill the gap.   She has been working with the Mount Vernon United Tenants Corp. and the Westchester County Hispanic Coalition both of which share the same concerns.  They all plan on attending the January 23, 2003 public hearing at the County Center. 

A discussion was held.

Ø The proposed fare hikes, if passed, will go into effect March 1, 2003.

Ø Bee-Line never seems to pay for itself and it almost always subsidized.

Ø Either option, fare hikes or cuts in service, are favorable with the Legislature but one or the other needs to be done.

Ø Property tax is the only significant revenue stream that the County has and the only other possibility is to look at fees that are charged for County services as a revenue source to help solve Budget shortfalls.

Ø County paid services have to pay for themselves or must be financed through taxes.

Ø Relief from the State as to dedicated dollars towards transportation would help in the future. 

COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL & ETHNIC DIVERSITY

MINUTES – JANUARY 22, 2003

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Ø The County had a one-time bump in State Transportation funding two years ago but due to State budgetary shortfalls as well it is not likely to happen this year. 

Ø Transportation not only means buses but train services, payment of fees Metro-North for station maintenance, etc. 

Ø The proposed fare hike is directed only to the cost of transportation.

Ø “Pots of money” that may be received from federal & state agencies are dedicated funds and the County does not have the flexibility to move the money around.

Ø There are other factors that have to be considered when looking at the amount of the proposed fare hikes such as the valid possibility of decreased ridership and rising maintenance costs such as fuel.

It was suggested that Ms. Farkus put her requests for information and figures in writing to Transportation Commissioner Larry Salley.  The importance for the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and groups alike to increase their lobbying efforts to the State as to the importance of Transportation Funds being distributed to this County was emphasized.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m.