***MEDIA ALERT***

May 5, 2014

 HART Regular Meeting - May Recap

HART Board Approves Public Outreach and Hearing Activities for Route 51X , Receives Update on FY2015-FY2019 Budget 
The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) Board of Directors today approved several action items, including authorization to conduct public outreach and hearing activities concerning revisions to Route 51x - New Tampa/Pasco Express to be implemented effective November 2014. HART is responding to community input about a demand for service that supports Tampa's growing economy and in particular, more job opportunities.

During the meeting, Jeffrey Seward, HART Chief Financial Officer, gave the Board FY2015-FY2019 Budget Development Overview. The budget presentation highlighted the HART Board of Director's recommendation of a more visionary detailed budget. The overall budget presentation focused on a HART future vision focused upon mindful spending and responsible financial oversight. Furthermore, HART is committed to continuation of long-term fiscal sustainability and migration away from Federal reliance for operating support. 
 

Some of the key goals for FY2015 business development include:


-
Maintain current service levels
-Provide enhancements to select current service based on Transit Development Plan (TDP)
-TDP will be baseline for budget development - commitment to HART Board in FY2014 budget preparation
-Enhancements to routes dependent on not requiring additional buses (Status Quo component of TDP)
-Continued long-term fiscal sustainability - migration from Federal reliance for operating support
-Prepare HART for future growth

In addition, The Board authorized extension of the current contract for Federal Legislative consultant services with Holland & Knight, LLP. The HART Board of Directors voted unanimously to award 2-year contracts with two 1-year options for Workers Compensation legal services to Barbas, Nunez, et al; for Labor and Employment legal services to Allen, Norton and Blue, P.A.; and for General Counsel legal services was awarded to Gray Robisonson, P.A. HART Board General Counsel David Smith was also authorized to continue in his role.

 
Next Regular Board of Directors Meetings 

 

The HART Regular Board of Directors will take place Monday, June 2, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. at the HART Ybor Office, 1201. E. 7th Ave., in Tampa.


Closed captioning and video from the monthly HART Board of Directors meetings will be posted within 5 - 8 business days on the Hillsborough Television (HTV) website.

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Media Contact:

Sandra Morrison                                                  

HART Public Information Officer                                          

Office: (813) 384-6610

Cell: (813) 545-5497                                          

[email protected]  

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