August 3, 2009 - Tampa, Florida - What will it take to bring Hillsborough County's transportation system into the future? A preview of the upcoming Alternatives Analysis study provided a look ahead at today's regular meeting of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority's Board of Directors.
Alternatives Analysis Study Begins
In June, the HART Board voted to award a contract to PB Americas, Inc. for completion of a study for re-entering the federal New Starts funding process for a potential light rail investment, known as an Alternatives Analysis. The study kicked off last month with a review of the goals and objectives and a tour of the corridors under consideration.
Leo Auger, the project manager from PB Americas, told the HART Board that the plan for the study's first 60 days includes refining the evaluation measures, developing the proposed alignment for the project, kicking off the public particpation efforts, and doing some of the technical work such as travel demand modeling.
HART's legislative consultant, Jeff Boothe, from Holland & Knight, informed the Board that HART is in a unique position for success.
"HART has a good story to tell given its operating reserves, and that it has been accomplished without reducing service by achieving efficiencies in operating," Mr. Boothe commented. "You are one of the few systems in the country that is not reducing service, and it's important to demonstrate a good financial situation to assist in expanding the system."
Funding for FY 2010
In other action, the Board determined the initial ad valorem millage rate of .4682 to bring before the public at its budget hearings in September.
That rate represents a reduction in HART's traditional .5 mill, which has been the base for the authority's funding since its charter in 1979. The Board has agreed to the lower rate for the past two years after state-mandated property tax reductions. This amount represents a shortfall of approximately $3 million.
HART Mission Statement
Our Team is dedicated to providing excellent customer service while building solutions to support Hillsborough County's needs...now and into the future.
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