So, when the council authorizes spending that doesn’t happen . . . what happens? If we can’t raise the bus fares and the TPC doesn’t change how they spend the money we budgeted, only refuse to spend it – what does the Mayor appeal?
Remember when I raised the issue about a year ago. Seemed as tho there was nothing that could be done. Excuses were issued and nothing happened.
Now that the Mayor is upset about the Transit and Parking Commission potentially not spending the money the way the council told them to, now its an issue. It seems as tho he is trying to force them to accept the fare increases that they rejected and is trying to give the council power it doesn’t have.
Look closely at what the Mayor vs. the City Attorney says about the budget:
The mayor said the TPC has discretion over fares, routes and schedules but not new spending in the budget for security at transfer points, a marketing position, a transit for jobs program or the contingency reserve.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Metro general manager Chuck Kamp said Metro could cut service on seven holidays, reducing Sunday service and not filling the marketing position.
Although the Metro staff has some discretion on filling a budget gap without raising fares, reallocating major spending for explicitly earmarked items such as additional security at transfer points would need council approval, the city attorney’s office says.
I don’t think they need to reallocate anything. They can just NOT SPEND the money. No future approvals needed. Despite what the Mayor tries to say.
Second, I’m curious, how the Mayor intends to do this:
If the TPC refuses to act, the decision can be appealed to the council, the mayor said, adding that he’ll do it himself if no one else does.
I thought that the TPC had the final say on fares. If we don’t have the ability to raise the fares and they don’t try to reallocate funding, what is there to appeal?
So, I don’t get it, how does this get back in front of the council? I don’t think that it does, but I guess I’ll be having a discussion with the Comptroller and City attorney today. I’ve already inquired via email and will share the answers when I get them.
