A divided Barton County Commission Monday morning approved offering a letter of support for the Roots and Wings Foundation’s grant application from the Kansas Department of Transportation to bolster public transit opportunities in the area. 

The foundation requested the letter for a for a $61,500 grant to purchase a 14-passenger van and assist with operations and provide general public transit. If approved, the foundation would be required to provide a 20 percent match, said Rosewood’s Will Rains. 

“The need for public transit in our area exceeds the services available,” Rains said. “This vehicle will help meet the growing need for public transportation for the elderly and people with disabilities.”

“I recognize there is a need for transportation for the elderly and disabled in this community,” Commissioner Alicia Straub said. But, she took issue with lending county support.

She noted that while the foundation is a non-profit entity, it is a subsidiary of the for-profit Rosewood Services. So, even though the grant would go to a non-profit, the vehicle would benefit a for-profit business.

“I struggle with it,” she said. “Using public funds, that is my concern.”

There are family members and taxi services that could provide rides for clients, so Rosewood wouldn’t have to go this direction, Rains said. 

“Yes, it will help Rosewood with its transportation budget,” he said. But, as transportation costs and the demand for rides increase, there will be an increased strain on other public transit services.

Rains said KDOT retains ownership of the vehicle.

Project details

The grant being applied for falls under KDOT’s Section 5310 for specialized transportation for the elderly and disabled, Rains said. There is also Section 5311 which applies to general public transportation.

Rains said there would be some cross-over with the use of this vehicle, with priority being given to Rosewood clients. However, “we’re not making a profit on it,” Rains said, adding the foundation was not asking for any county money.

The application seeks funds for vehicle with a lift. In all, KDOT covers 80 percent of the $61,500 and the foundation 20 percent, or $12,300. 

In addition to the cost of the vehicle, the grant provides $10,000 for operational expenses. There is not match for this. 

More discussion

Straub also brought up Community Service Tax Credits through the Kansas Department of Commerce that were approved for Rosewood. These went to improve the former E&E Glass building into a Production & Technical Training Center, a project that should be completed by the end of 2019.

Rains assured her that none of the funds from this effort are involved in the KDOT grant. The matching money would come from donors or other agency resources.

Commission Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz said that it was clear in the application that the foundation was affiliated with Rosewood, with no attempts to hide anything. If there are problems with the non-profit/for-profit issue, then KDOT would have said something.

“They are two separate entities,” Commissioner Don Davis said, agreeing with Schartz. Both are audited and everything is clean and above board.

Still, “I don’t think it is ethical,” Straub said.

In the end, Straub and Commissioner Homer Kruckenberg voted against supporting the letter. Schartz, Davis and Commissioner Kenny Schremmer voted for it.

As a side note, the Great Bend City Council Monday night had a similar letter of support on its agenda.

The council approved the letter unanimously, but Councilman Andrew Erb expressed concerns similar to those brought up by Straub.