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Tampa Bay transit authority prepares to dismantle
The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority, tasked with coordinating potential transit projects throughout five local counties, is in the midst of unwinding.
This Friday, TBARTA will review the closing plan and direct its staff to perform their last required duties, which includes reimbursing federal, state and local dollars, commissioner Rene Flowers said during a Tuesday Pinellas County Commission meeting.
The dissolution comes as the agency has faced criticisms from the community and legislative leaders, arguing the only project to come to fruition is its commuter vanpool service.
The voting action is also on the table due to State Rep. Jeff Holcomb, R-Spring Hill, and Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-St. Petersburg, filing and supporting Senate Bill 198, calling for the dismantling of TBARTA, which was created in 2007 by the Legislature.
This isn’t the first time the agency is facing its impending fate. Former Sen. Jeff Brandes previously sought to disband the agency in 2021 and 2022. Additionally, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed legislative appropriations to the authority for three consecutive years, most recently slashing $1.375 million for TBARTA’s operating expenses from the state budget last year.
RELATED: Commissioner talks TBARTA’s future (or lack thereof)
According to the language in the filed bill, it would reallocate TBARTA assets “such that each local general-purpose government represented on the authority’s board receives a distribution generally in proportion to each entity’s contribution to the acquisition of the assets.”
A presentation slide in TBARTA’s agenda shows TBARTA owes a total reimbursement of roughly $223,508 to the counties, including roughly $62,395 to Pinellas and $90,546 to Hillsborough.
Flowers said TBARTA is speaking with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority to carry out the transit vanpool commuter services it provides for residents who are disabled.
Meanwhile, TBARTA Executive Director David Green and the director of accounting would stay on for the year to “phase out” the ongoing contracts and other looming issues, Flowers said.
A presentation slide states Green would have 20 weeks of severance. The board may also recommend a payout of all unused vacation for all its staff.
Eric
January 18, 2023at12:19 pm
The Vanpool program started many years before TBARTA was created. They have essentially done nothing worth taking credit for. Good for our Leadership to take steps to dismantle the agency.
Mike
January 18, 2023at4:22 am
So there was a need for this but government got in the way. What now?
Barbara Davis
January 17, 2023at8:59 pm
What’s with affordable housing,seniors housing in the northeastern area of tampa I really think there should be a building in each neighborhood for affordable and seniors. Waterparks in East Tampa A better and beautiful outlook in our neighborhoods to keep our kids safe and at home.Exercise equipment parks to help adults and children with obesity and health. Find jobs for teens during school breaks to keep them out of trouble being responsible and earning money to get necessary things their parents unable to get for them.Build an affordable housing for the you adults age 20-25 strict stipulations like no arrest records,drugs,guns,affordable rent limits according to income and jobs,electricity, water vouchers to get an idea of responsibilities of being an adult.They need help too.
Shirley Hayes
January 17, 2023at4:58 pm
Waste finally recognized, thank you!!!!!!!