PORT TOWNSEND — A proposed no-frills $3.6 million 2010 Jefferson Transit Authority budget avoids layoffs.
The budget will go to the Transit Board on Dec. 15 for final approval.
It is “nothing fancy,” Transit General Manager Dave Turissini said. “It’s just to keep service on the street.”
Transit employs about 45.
“We are down three drivers who retired or moved on,” Turissini said, adding had that not happened, the Transit agency, which serves east and west Jefferson County, might have had to cut the positions.
“We were able to hold on,” Turissini said.
Fixed route fares had increased in July from $1.25 a day to $1.50 a day.
The increase is expected to increase revenue 14 percent to $155,000 in 2010.
Jefferson Transit’s 25 drivers, both full and part time, will receive 3 percent pay increases, Turissini said.
Average salaries for six in management increased by 15.3 percent because a two-year grant-funded position, a mobility coordinator, was added.
Transit’s six-tenths of 1 percent sales tax is expected to remain flat in 2010 and generate $2.3 million for the agency. That would give Transit 6 cents on every $10 spent in Jefferson County.
Grants are projected to increase 6 percent to $995,659 in 2010.
Revenues leveled
Revenues in general have leveled off since 2007 for Transit, figures show.
Transit covers five local routes, including the Tri-Area Loop, downtown shuttle, Fort Worden, Castle Hill and North Beach.
The three commuter routes served are Brinnon, Poulsbo and Sequim.
West End service runs from Forks to Amanda Park.
Transit officials hope next year to implement a new service model that will save about $6,800 a month, but that is not reflected in the 2010 budget.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.