FCTA Board authorizes discontinuation of services unless past due bills paid

The Fulton County Transit Authority Board, during regular board session Oct. 18, authorized Executive Director Kenney Etherton to forward a letter to the Fulton County Senior Citizens Center, requesting one-half of their past due balance owed to be paid by the end of October, and the remainder to be paid by Dec. 31, or Transit Authority services will no longer be made available to the Senior Citizens Center.

Etherton first provided board members Mike Gunn, Barbara McIntee, Sandy Bellew, Garrett Hutchins, Lew Jetton and Carol Parker with a copy of a letter he sent on Oct. 1 to Sandra S. Bolin, Acting Director for the Fulton County Senior Citizens Centers, wherein he thanked her for the payment of $1,974, leaving a past due balance of $8,178.

In that letter, Etherton referenced the FCTA State Management Plan, which requires the Transit to break even on services and costs. He also informed Bolin in the letter, that a request was being made to either pay in full the amount of $8178 or make satisfactory arrangements no later than Oct. 18. Otherwise, his letter stated, he would request from the Fulton County Transit Authority Board of Directors that services be discontinued.

According to Etherton, approximately $1,900 per month is billed to the Senior Citizens Center, for services including transportation of individuals in Hickman and Fulton to and from the respective centers, as well as the delivery of meals to home bound seniors, and to the Fulton center from the Hickman center, where meals are prepared.

He said maintenance and insurance on the van used for the transportation is covered by the FCTA, however the vehicle is titled to the Senior Citizens, with the Fulton County Fiscal Court having provided the matching portion of a grant used to fund the purchase of the vehicle.The FCTA contracts with the senior citizens for the use of the vehicle, Etherton said.

He noted the center is four-five months behind in payment.

On a motion made by Sandy Bellew and seconded by Barbara McIntee, the board unanimously agreed to authorize Etherton to proceed with actions to collect the past due amount, with the designated deadlines given, as well as the consequences of full payment not received.

Discussion continued regarding fees charged to transport Veterans to and from medical related appointments, with board member Mike Gunn making a motion to charge 41.5 cents per mile for the trips. Etherton said some state reimbursements could be available, on an income-related basis, to the Veterans.

The board also approved free in town demand response transportation to Veterans on Nov. 12, for Veterans Day.

Etherton reported the FCTA provided 3,329 rides during the recent Columbus Civil War Days, and was to participate in the Twin Cities Chamber of Commerce Ladies Night Out shopping event Nov. 3, providing rides to participants in Fulton and South Fulton.

According to Etherton an environmental study will be required to continue with the process to purchase the building adjacent to the FCTA offices.

In other business, the board approved the transfer of $100,000 from the Citizens Ban to Heritage Bank for payroll.

Board members David Moss and Jesse Webb were absent.

The next meeting was set for Nov. 29, a special called meeting, in lieu of the regular meeting, which would have been Nov. 16.