Council approves HATS donation

FINDLAY — Findlay Council approved the $100,000 donation towards new buses for the Hancock Area Transit Service (HATS), but plans for a fixed-route bus service in the city are getting pushback. The contribution will be made to the HHWP Community Action Commission. Council voted 9-1 in regular session Tuesday to make the donation, with Councilwoman Beth Warnecke, R-3, opposed. Warnecke said Findlay's strategic plan states that residents want to maintain a small-town environment. Fixed-route busing is something seen in bigger cities, she said, explaining her opposition. Councilman Grant Russel, R-at-large, who voted in favor of the donation, said he didn't want his vote misconstrued as support of a fixed-route bus service. Russel says he questions whether the service is feasible in Findlay, or would be of real benefit to residents. 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 new buses are needed, with or without the move to a fixed-route system, HATS officials have said. The city's strategic plan, which was adopted by council in August 2023, also 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 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. Tuesday's council agenda included a letter of support, dated Nov. 25, from Brian Treece, president and CEO of the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. The Foundation has also agreed to a $100,000 grant for the purchases of the buses, contingent upon the remaining match money being secured. The Hancock County Board of Commissioners has also been asked to donate $64,000. "Expanding Hancock County's public transportation is the next logical step for our local community," said Treece. "Having a fixed route with reliable routing and timeframes will allow people to more easily move about our community for work, healthcare appointments and shopping." Treece said a fixed-route system could positively impact "tens of thousands" of residents. 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%.