Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Pulaski Co. approves PAT grant application
PULASKI - -Pulaski Town Council voted Monday night to support a grant application for the Pulaski Area Transit’s Saturday service, but not without discussion.
Council voted 4-2 to support a grant application to the state Department of Rails and Public Transportation, with Councilmen Morgan Welker and Robert Bopp dissenting.
The grant money, which would be available in fiscal year 2011-2012, would require a $2,100 contribution from the town.
Discussion centered around unease that council had voted to increase funding to the Pulaski Area Transit by more than $2,000 to more than $53,000 during its December meeting, allowing for salary increases, without knowing about the grant presented Monday.
“If we’re going to give the PAT an addition $2,000 in funding, I’d prefer for it to be set aside for service, not salaries,” Councilman Joseph Goodman said.
If costs begin to exceed the budget, council could ask for services to be cut later so not to exceed budget, Town Manager John Hawley said.
The Pulaski Area Transit has come in under budget in previous years, so concerns about exceeding the budget may not be a problem, Councilman David Clark said.
Although the motion passed to allow the application, council agreed more discussion of grant application process and Pulaski Area Transit budget was warranted at upcoming council work sessions for budget planning.
The meeting was rescheduled from Tuesday to Monday to accommodate a performance at the Pulaski Theatre Tuesday night.
Council voted 4-2 to support a grant application to the state Department of Rails and Public Transportation, with Councilmen Morgan Welker and Robert Bopp dissenting.
The grant money, which would be available in fiscal year 2011-2012, would require a $2,100 contribution from the town.
Discussion centered around unease that council had voted to increase funding to the Pulaski Area Transit by more than $2,000 to more than $53,000 during its December meeting, allowing for salary increases, without knowing about the grant presented Monday.
“If we’re going to give the PAT an addition $2,000 in funding, I’d prefer for it to be set aside for service, not salaries,” Councilman Joseph Goodman said.
If costs begin to exceed the budget, council could ask for services to be cut later so not to exceed budget, Town Manager John Hawley said.
The Pulaski Area Transit has come in under budget in previous years, so concerns about exceeding the budget may not be a problem, Councilman David Clark said.
Although the motion passed to allow the application, council agreed more discussion of grant application process and Pulaski Area Transit budget was warranted at upcoming council work sessions for budget planning.
The meeting was rescheduled from Tuesday to Monday to accommodate a performance at the Pulaski Theatre Tuesday night.
