Changes coming for county transit service

Chase County Commissioners Jacci Brown, Duane Dinnel and Dennis Kunnemann voted during their May 10 meeting to join Hitch and Hay Public Transit rather than to continue Chase County Transit.
With reporting requirements changing, Chase County was going to need to purchase new $10,000 software, which is fully reimbursed by the state. Other costs would include an annual fee of $3,000, for which the county would be responsible for 10%, and hiring a dispatcher, estimated to be between $8,320 to $10,571 plus benefits per year.  
By joining with Hitch and Hay, the county is estimating $1,750 monthly for up to 400 reservations, the high end of the county’s expectations, and $200 in administration fees. Of that monthly $1,950, Chase County would pay 10%, estimated to be $2,340 for the year.
Changes may be seen in two weeks, depending on the arrival of tablets the drivers would use. Customers will call the dispatch number with their requests and a dispatcher will contact the drivers.
The contract with Hitch and Hay could be canceled at any time.
The board also discussed changes in fees due to fuel prices, but took no action.
In other contract discussion, the commissioners voted to terminate the county’s contract with USDA Wildlife Services. An amendment to the current contract called for a 10% increase in the service fee. The county’s USDA Wildlife Specialist resigned in February.
Deb Hayes attended the meeting’s open forum to tell the commissioners one of the county’s ambulances is having issues and will need to be replaced.
    Hayes has stepped down as president of EMS, but will be vice president and serve in an advisory role. The new president is Craig Loeffler.
    The commissioners opened bids for phone and internet services. Great Plains’ monthly bid of $833.79 was accepted over Allo’s bid of $1,314.72.
    The next meeting of the commissioners will be May 24 at 8 a.m. in the courthouse.