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Passenger Trains > Tri-Rail: Changes in state funding could ‘put us out of businesDate: 12/14/16 02:26 Tri-Rail: Changes in state funding could ‘put us out of busines Author: SDGreg http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article120007823.html
"The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority learned last month that the Florida Department of Transportation will likely alter the disbursement of the $30.6 million given each year to support Tri-Rail’s roughly $70 million operations budget. Instead of doling out the money in quarterly installments, as happens now, the state may require the transportation authority to pay for costs up front and submit expenses for reimbursements, starting July 1. The expected changes, which SFRTA executive director Jack Stephens says are “onerous,” are the result of a Nov. 10 state audit that determined the Florida Department of Transportation’s Tri-Rail agreement does not comply with state law. The audit was prompted by a former FDOT District 4 secretary who became concerned about the transparency of Tri-Rail’s spending." "“A new working arrangement needs to reverse the prior process,” said Bob Clift, the inspector general assigned to the Florida Department of Transportation. “We don’t just give them money in advance and let them spend it on whatever is appropriate. We reimburse them for allowable expenses. Executives and board members of the SFRTA said Friday during a board meeting in Pompano Beach that Clift’s office is misinterpreting the law. But they believe FDOT’s leadership will nevertheless ratify the audit recommendations, jeopardizing a service used by 15,000 passengers every day from Palm Beach County to Hialeah. “This could literally put us out of business,” said Stephens." "The SFRTA board voted Friday to begin working on legislation that if passed this session in Tallahassee would clarify that the money Tri-Rail receives from the state under Florida statutes can be provided as up-front grants. Meanwhile, Stephens and Gerry O’Reilly, the current FDOT District 4 secretary, said they’ll work on reaching a new agreement that is considered legal by the inspector general and acceptable to both sides." |