BAT Bulletin

Benton County's Benton Area Transit service delivery project is in the home stretch! The project team is preparing for two important meetings in November with the Board of Commissioners.

Tuesday, November 10, 9 a.m.: Discussion / work session

At the monthly Board of Commissioners' Goal Setting meeting, the project team will have a work session with the commissioners to review available information, answer questions and find out what additional data should be provided for the decision meeting the following week.

The discussion is scheduled to last 40 minutes. The meeting agenda and packet are expected to be published around Wednesday, November 4.

The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed online through Zoom. There will NOT be an opportunity for public comment at this meeting. Public comment is not heard at Goal Setting meetings, but community members are welcome to attend in person or virtually.

Monday, November 16, 9 a.m.: Decision

At a regular Board of Commissioners Meeting*, the BAT project team will present information about the enhanced contract and self-perform options. The BOC will decide which service delivery model to pursue for implementation in 2028, and which option will be reserved as plan B to ensure continuity of service if needed.

This agenda item is scheduled to take 40 minutes. The meeting agenda and packet are expected to be published around Tuesday, November 10.

The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed online through Zoom. Public comment will be heard at the beginning of the meeting. Please arrive prior to 9 a.m. if you would like to sign up to speak for up to 3 minutes.

*Please note change in meeting day. This meeting will be held on Monday instead of Tuesday, the customary meeting day, to allow the commissioners to attend the Association of Oregon Counties Annual Conference held November 17-19.

On October 20, the Benton County Board of Commissioners approved the 2027-29 projects plan for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund. The plan includes almost $2 million for Benton Area Transit to be spent on:

• Preservation and expansion of current service
• A rural shuttle pilot project (see more information below)
• Facilities / bus stop amenities

With STIF projects approved for the next budget cycle, the County is building them into the 2027-29 biennium budget. The Budget Committee will consider and approve the budget in spring 2027 before it goes before the Board of Commissioners for adoption.

Benton Area Transit received an Innovative Mobility Fund grant to explore options for improving mobility and service access for rural residents. We are hosting two community workshops to gather feedback on draft routes, stops and service frequency for a rural shuttle pilot project.

Questions, opinions and other feedback about the Benton Area Transit service delivery project can be delivered to project staff in three ways: