By Devon Turchan, The News-Herald POSTED:
Laketran trustees are hoping not to see one another Nov. 6. The only reason they would have a meeting that day would be to discuss how to move forward if their continuing levy fails.
Although several members said they were “optimistic” at Monday’s monthly Committee of the Whole and Board of Trustees meetings, the organization’s decision-making team is not celebrating yet.
“Our message has gotten out there about how many people our service affects,” board President Kevin Malecek said.
The 0.25 percent sales tax levy is already in place but is up for a continuing renewal, which would instate the tax permanently.
The funding brought in from the sales tax makes up 60 percent of the agency’s funding. The remainder comes from minimal revenue from fares and recently cut state and federal funding.
No anti-levy presentations were made in the public forum of the meeting. Kim Stenger of Kirtland, a member of the Friends of Laketran, spoke to the board about what the political action committee has been doing to promote a “yes” vote.
Among other tactics, Stenger said the PAC sent out two direct mailings to more than 60,000 addresses each and plans one more before the election; passed out 4,000 stickers; 30 volunteers made about 3,000 phone calls and planned an automated 18,000 additional automated calls; distributed about 2,100 yard signs; and developed an electronic media presence with paid advertising on media websites including News-Herald.com and a Facebook profile picture campaign.
If the levy does not pass, one of the first program cuts riders will notice will be the third year holiday season restoration of longer night and holiday hours. Laketran trustees Sept. 23 voted to temporarily restore holiday weeknights, Saturday and Veterans Day service Nov. 9 to Jan. 4, pending voter approval of the levy. “If the levy fails we will have a lot more to talk about than canceling the service,” Laketran General Manager Ray Jurkowski said.
The board also announced its 17th consecutive clean audit at the meeting. Laketran received the “Ohio Auditor of State Award with Distinction” from the office of Auditor of State David Yost. The distinction is given to agencies with timely financial reporting that meets strict standards of the Government Finance Officers’ Association.
The audit award covered the 2012 fiscal year ending in December 2012, for which the operating cost was $12.4 million.
Malecek, according to a news release, said, “I am very proud of Laketran’s management team for this great accomplishment. It supports our objective of accountability to our customers and the community.”
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