Handi-bus petitions county for MoU to support operations
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Representatives from the Strathmore Handi-Bus Association presented to the Wheatland County Public Presentation Committee, Nov. 14, requesting the county’s consideration to continue grant funding their organization.
In a letter addressing county council, the Handi-Bus Association declared its intent to establish a funding formula with the county, much like what has been established with the Town of Strathmore as a Memorandum of Understanding.
“The intent for us being here today is to establish a memorandum of understanding with the Wheatland County, similar to what we have had in place with the Town of Strathmore for the last several years,” said Mark Gibeau, chairperson of the Handibus Association. “We feel as a board and as an association that having a varied, stable funding base to continue operations for the long-term is imperative.”
Contributions from the county to the Handi-Bus Association have varied. Throughout the majority of the 2010’s, the organization stated the county contributed $35,000 per year, as well as paying for vehicle inspections. In 2020, the base funding amount was reduced to $10,000.
The Handibus Association is estimating support from the county to be in the realm of $40,500, plus the costs of vehicle inspections, should the county vote to issue grant funding as requested.
“The memorandum of understanding was a brainchild of several people within the town and our association, and in a nutshell, it substantially contributes to the operating costs of the Handi-bus Association,” said Gibeau. “If there is ever any leftover operating money out of there, that goes back to the municipality every year. With the numbers that we see on the increase, that is probably not likely.”
As of the end of 2022, following a review of clients using the handi-bus services, there were roughly 300 different individuals recorded to be clients, with 73 identifiable as county residents, or former residents and ratepayers.
The operating deficit for 2023 from current revenues for the Handi-bus Association is estimated to be in the realm of $280,000.
Current revenues for the association include roughly $193,000 from the Town of Strathmore, $20,000 from donations, $20,000 from interest, and $50,000 from casino funds.
It was also described by Brian Grier, who also serves with the Handi-bus Association, that depending on actions made by the Town of Strathmore regarding land which the Handi-bus Association garage sits on, the organization may be either out of a storage facility, or their operating expenses could see an increase.
The County Public Presentation Committee voted unanimously to have the matter brought to a future regular meeting of council where it can be further discussed and voted upon.