Robert W. Koehler

The Board of Directors discussed and addressed several key agenda items, including the authorization of participant loan provisions for OKI retirement plans and the adoption of the Council's Fiscal Year 2027 Operating and Capital Budgets. The meeting covered the approval of a contract for human resource services and the implementation of a Cybersecurity and Ransomware Protection Policy. Additionally, the Board authorized retaining 4BIS.com as a managed service provider for IT infrastructure, approved a contract for professional traffic count station maintenance, and reviewed Amendment #49 to the Water Quality Management Plan. Finally, the Board reviewed Amendment #9 to the Transportation Improvement Program and received an update on the upcoming 2026 MAASTO Annual Conference.

The committee meeting covered updates on Red Bike's operations and strategic direction, an update on regional bicycle and pedestrian safety, and a report on the Multimodal Counter Project. Additionally, the committee discussed and recommended resolutions for marketing campaigns for the Regional Clean Air Program and the Regional RideShare Program, and reviewed administrative modifications and amendments to the Transportation Improvement Program.

The OKI Strategic Regional Policy Plan outlines a 20-year vision for regional vitality, sustainability, and competitiveness, focusing on the land use-transportation connection. It is guided by six strategic subject areas: Housing, Transportation, Land use, Public facilities and services, Natural systems, and Economic development. The plan aims to achieve greater consistency between local land use planning and regional transportation planning to maximize the benefit of taxpayer dollars and facilitate a more efficient multi-modal regional transportation system, supported by up-to-date local comprehensive plans.

This document outlines goals and priorities for the Boone County transportation plan update, focusing on integrated transportation and land use, infrastructure improvement, and resident advocacy. Key strategic areas include developing safe, walkable communities with well-connected road networks, mitigating freight impacts, reducing congestion, enhancing safety, expanding multimodal options (walking and biking), and supporting freight and tourism. The plan categorizes projects into tiered recommendations (near-term, medium-term, and future generation) and considers the application of advanced transportation technologies.

The meeting included reports from the Vice President and the CEO regarding regional activities. The Finance Officer presented a review of council financing, balance sheets, and budgetary performance for the fiscal year. Significant action items included the adoption of the Boone County Transportation Plan Update, the presentation of the fiscal year 2025 audit report, and the approval of the fiscal year 2027 Unified Planning Work Program. The board also addressed the certification of the urban transportation planning process, received the ICC report, and approved an amendment to the 2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Program covering various highway and transit projects.