State, federal cuts will create tight budget for York County transit

YORK COUNTY – Lori Byers, the director of York County Aging Services and the county’s transportation program, met with the York County Commissioners this week to inform them state funding would be decreased in the next year as state and federal cuts are affecting available operating money.

​The Nebraska Department of Transportation provides a great deal of money to the county’s transportation program and she was informed by NDOT there would be a decrease in funds across the board, “so we were asked to cut our budgets. For example, we have a $261,000 budget this year. We were told it will be $256,000 next year. They will then see where it comes in 2027. So next year will be a bit tight. Right now we are turning down rides because we don’t have enough in the budget to run continuously.
“Also, regarding the $50,000 donation we received from the estate of Cheryl Stuhr, we deposited it in a CD and a flex account,” Byers continued. “The goal is to increase accessibility for those with mobility issues.”
“Don’t just look at making cuts,” Commissioner Chairman Randy Obermier said to Byers. “Also look at the revenue, as the rides are reasonably priced now and you might have to look at that.”