Background/Discussion
Every year the City of Council Bluffs is required to submit an Authorizing Resolution for State Transit Assistance (STA) for transit operations with the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Joint Participation Agreement to provide Transit Assistance to Iowa’s public transit system.
Prior to receiving the funding, the City is required to submit to the Iowa DOT Office of Public Transit a notice of public hearing on the use of STA funds for the City’s public transit systems, the Authorizing Resolution for Transit Assistance with the Iowa Department of Transportation, and a copy of city council minutes of the meeting where the public hearing is held.
The State Transit Assistance formula is based on ridership, revenue miles, operating expense and local match.
The Iowa Department of Transportation has indicated that the City will be eligible for an estimated $285,507 in STA payments for FY2026. The City has received $237,486.80 in FY2025 STA payments to date. The application for future assistance has been prepared by city staff and must be submitted to the Iowa DOT.
The projected FY2026 budget for transit is $2,263,600 in expenditures and projected revenues of $1,370,399 in transit tax levy, $285,507 in State Transit Assistance, $87,780 from Metro in reimbursement, $87,500 in Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Grants (5310), $40,000 in Special Transit Service fares, and $115,000 in Metro fixed-route fares.