Jacob Morris

The meeting was called to order, but a quorum was not achieved, preventing any formal actions or approvals. Key discussions included the Financial Committee Report, which noted the entity operated approximately $530,000 under budget for November FY26, primarily due to lower labor and medical expenses, although ridership was down 7.3% year-over-year. The Operations & Safety Committee Report highlighted a 25 accident reduction compared to Fiscal Year 2024. A Special Services presentation provided a year-in-review for TANK Plus and RAMP performance metrics, along with upcoming technology improvements. The General Manager reviewed the 2026 board meeting schedule, the launch of the Licking River Link service, and Phase One implementation of the new HRIS system. Board counsel confirmed compliance with state acts regarding open meetings and records.

Key discussions included a presentation on the Transit Development Plan, focusing on public concerns regarding the replacement of fixed routes (Routes 5, 8, and 12) with TANK Plus and recommendations to retain fixed routes where feasible. The Financial Committee reported on scheduling and customer service issues with current paratransit software and recommended contracting with Via Transportation for demand response scheduling, which was approved. The committee also approved the disposal of old computers and monitors. The Operations & Safety Committee reviewed budget impacts from the Transit Development Plan, sustainability efforts, accident trend improvements, and discussed a pilot service with Amazon. The Attorney reported on the requirement for board members to provide notice of receipt for open records and records management information.

The meeting commenced with an overview of the Transit Planning Study Report and Recommendations. Key discussion points included the extensive community feedback advocating against fixed route service cuts, leading to a proposed 10% service reduction to meet budget constraints. The board and guests held an open dialogue regarding financial sustainability, where staff explained the budgeting process, which typically involves small annual increases effectively resulting in service cuts. County executives offered input, with one suggesting a focus on the core purpose of serving the transit-dependent population. The consensus reached was that current service levels have been reduced below a minimum acceptable baseline, resulting in long commute times. TANK committed to developing and presenting a budget based on a defined "baseline level of service." Other topics included potential long-term capital savings through moving to a fleet of smaller buses, and discussions on Autonomous Vehicle technology and potential partnerships with entities like Metro and CVG.

This Transit Development Plan, titled 'Reimagining the Future of Transit in Northern Kentucky,' outlines TANK's strategy to achieve a fiscally secure future over the next 10-15 years. The plan addresses funding challenges and reduced ridership by focusing on providing exceptional and accessible transit services across urban, suburban, and rural areas within existing financial frameworks. It is developed based on public input and a comprehensive evaluation of the current network to meet the diverse transportation needs of Northern Kentucky's residents and businesses.

The agenda for the May 14, 2025 meeting included the approval of minutes from the April 9, 2025 Board Meeting and the May 6, 2025 Special Board Meeting. Key discussion items covered Pension Committee minutes review, Finance/Administration topics such as the March FY25 Financial Statement Review, Equipment Disposition (Action item), and a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Plan update for information only. The agenda also allocated time for reports from the General Manager and General Counsel, and Old Business related to operations presentations.