HATS plan may fit city strategy

FINDLAY — The Hancock Area Transit Service (HATS) has recommended that a fixed-route bus service be established in Findlay, which may suit an objective of the city's strategic plan. Findlay City Council has been asked to consider a $100,000 donation to support the purchase of new buses for HATS. Legislation to make the donate was introduced to council at its Nov. 6 meeting. The contribution would be made to the HHWP Community Action Commission. HATS can receive over $1 million in federal funding through the Ohio Department of Transportation. The money would be used to purchase five replacement vehicles for HATS. The funding requires a $264,000 local match. The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is also considering a $100,000 donation and the Hancock County Board of Commissioners is discussing a $64,000 donation. In a letter to council dated Oct. 15, Mayor Christina Muryn said new buses would meet the existing needs of HATS, and support a future fix-route service, should one be established. Councilman Jeff Wobser, R-at-Large, referred the legislation to council's Strategic Planning Committee, where HATS may find an ally. Wobser is the committee chair. As of Wednesday afternoon, the meeting had not been scheduled. Other committee members include Dennis Hellmann, R-2, Randy Greeno, R-at-large, Grant Russel, R-at-large, and Beth Warnecke, R-3, who all serve as chairs of council's other standing committees. The city's strategic plan, which was adopted by council in August 2023, identifies "A connected city where people are linked to destinations and each other in a variety of ways," as one of Findlay's primary goals. The goals were developed by Planning NEXT through a canvas of nearly 1,000 people, asking where Findlay's government should put its focus. The Columbus-based consulting firm was hired by the city to help develop the strategic plan. The firm was paid about $130,000 for the work. In defining the goal, the plan states that "Well-maintained and safe streets and a range of mobility options help connect communities. The city of Findlay provides an essential service through the maintenance and improvement of city streets. Residents and businesses emphasized this important role and indicated their desire for continued street improvements as well as more mobility options and infrastructure. Objectives in this section focus on ways the city of Findlay and its partners can improve mobility options and connection throughout the community." The plan identifies four objectives in building a more "connected community," including improving street maintenance, traffic flow and safety; improving bike and pedestrian infrastructure; expanding communication networks to encourage competition and accessibility; and supporting organizations in an effort to identify, evaluate and implement diverse mobility options. It's that last objective that may win HATS the city's support. While HATS' "preferred transit alternative" would move Findlay to a fixed-route system, transportation for the rest of Hancock County by HATS would remain on demand or by appointment. The estimated operating cost of the plan would be $2.2 million per year. Capital costs, for bus purchases and bus stop installations, would total an estimated $3.7 million. The federal government would fund 80% of capital expenditures. The rest of the funding would come from state and/or local sources. Federal and state funding would help pay for most of the operating costs, but the plan also would need financial backing from the city of Findlay and/or Hancock County. HATS estimates that federal and state funding would leave a funding gap each year of $432,640, or about 20% of the total, which would have to be paid by the city and/or county. HATS drives people to jobs, medical appointments and shopping destinations. The 68,011 rides it provided in 2023 were 6.4% more than in 2022 and 11.6% more than in 2021. Job-related rides comprised 51% of trips last year, according to HATS. Medical/dialysis appointments accounted for 26%.