County Transit Authority wants more money from city

The county transit authority wants a bigger subsidy from the city of Cape Girardeau.

Transit officials are requesting the city council increase the subsidy by $40,000. That would bring the total subsidy from the city to $110,000 for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The city council is scheduled to consider the request at its meeting at 7 tonight at city hall.

In a May 25 letter to city manager Doug Leslie, transit authority executive director Tom Mogelnicki said the request amounts to "only a slight increase."

The authority needs a larger subsidy to help cover increases to costs including inflation.

"As you are fully aware, it is extremely difficult to pass on the increased cost to operate to our riders, especially since residents are just now getting used to our services and prices," Mogelnicki wrote.

The increased funding also would allow the transit authority to build an escrow account to pay for replacement of shuttle buses in two years, he wrote

The city council will consider giving first-round approval to the annual operating budget for city government at tonight's meeting. The proposed budget currently provides only a $70,000 subsidy.

Check back at semissourian.com tonight or read Tuesday's newspaper for details.