Title
Consider approval of a request and adoption of a resolution authorizing Monterey-Salinas Transit to place a one-eighth of one percent county-wide local sales tax measure on the November 2014 ballot, for a period of 15 years, subject to the condition that the funds generated would be restricted solely for the provision of services and equipment for veterans, seniors, and persons with disabilities; subject to review by a citizens' oversight committee and subject to a special audit after implementation.
report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors consider approval of a request and adoption of a resolution authorizing Monterey-Salinas Transit to place a one-eighth of one percent county-wide local sales tax measure on the November 2014 ballot, for a period of 15 years, subject to the condition that the funds generated would be restricted solely for the provision of services and equipment for veterans, seniors, and persons with disabilities; subject to review by a citizens' oversight committee and subject to a special audit after implementation.
SUMMARY / DISCUSSION:
Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) is the county's primary provider of public transportation. In addition to providing traditional fixed-route and on-demand public transportation, MST currently provides a wide variety of public transportation services dedicated for veterans, seniors, and persons with disabilities, including MST RIDES, senior shuttles, discount taxi vouchers, and veterans' transportation programs.
Traditional sources of dedicated federal funding for these programs that were designed to benefit veterans, seniors, and persons with disabilities have been discontinued, which will cause these services to face potential elimination within less than a year unless an alternate funding source can be generated. Because of the loss of federal funding, and to create an independent funding source to continue to provide these vital services into the future, the ...
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