The county government committee approved a budget adjustment to provide immediate aid for driver transportation after members discussed recent problems with the veterans shuttle, driver staffing and vehicle safety.

Committee members voted to move the driver-transportation budget into effect immediately, with one member calling for the change and another seconding it; the chair confirmed the vote by asking, "All in favor? Aye. Both. Okay." The vote followed detailed remarks about the veteran transportation program, vehicle condition and staffing needs.

The discussion described the veterans program's current fleet as a bus and a minivan, and said the county would like to avoid requiring commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) where possible because not all drivers hold them. Committee members said the existing bus requires a CDL and that the county is exploring options such as a transit van to avoid the CDL requirement while retaining a wheelchair lift. One speaker said the bus has "like, 5,000 miles on it." Another noted the program uses the bus more for parades than for regular VA runs and that ridership to the VA has declined.

Committee members said the program's second part-time driver retired this month and the current per-diem driver is seeking full-time status and working on obtaining a CDL. Members discussed prior local practice of paying roughly $3,000 to send hires to CDL school and then requiring a post-training service period.

The committee also discussed a recent collision involving the veterans shuttle near a shopping area. A speaker said a light was out at the intersection minutes before the crash and that the driver and the one passenger on board were reportedly checked and were "fine." The committee said it is awaiting the police report and noted the bus has a video camera that could be reviewed.

Members raised accessibility requirements for a replacement vehicle: they want a wheelchair lift retained and discussed placing the lift at the side or rear of a replacement van. Members flagged cost concerns, saying vehicles with lifts typically cost more than standard rentals.

Committee members asked whether the county offers CDL training; speakers said local college programs had been dropped and the county does not offer an internal CDL training program. One speaker said they had previously paid for training and required a service commitment in return.

The committee also discussed operational alternatives such as transferring an underused bus to another county department and noted the program maintains a booth at the county fair and uses volunteer support in the Dwyer Room for veterans events.

Closing paragraphs: The committee approved the requested budget action to mobilize driver-transportation aid; staff said they will follow up with written details, police reporting on the crash and options for vehicle replacement, including costs for wheelchair lifts and potential CDL training arrangements.