Neillsville City Council Discusses Shared Ride Taxi Service

Saturday, November 26th, 2022 -- 11:00 AM

The Neillsville City Council discussed the shared ride taxi service.

Pam Kernan, Clark County Department of Social Services Director, stated that the five-year Request for Proposals for the Clark County Taxi/City of Neillsville Taxi was put out back in September. The City of Stanley is offered rides through the Clark County Taxi. Both the City and portions of the taxi services are funded through their levies.

Kernan stated that only one proposal was submitted and it was from Abby Vans. Before the proposal could be opened, an Evaluation Committee consisting of a City representative, County Supervisor and herself had to hold an open public meeting to review the proposer’s (Abby Vans) qualification using the State of Wisconsin Source Selection Guide and checklist. This has to be done prior to opening the price proposals. Abby Vans received all excellent remarks. Everyone agreed that Abby Vans met the guidelines. Kernan stated the Abby Vans proposal was opened showing a 44% increase in price. Proposal comments stated how much the cost of gas went up; how hard it is to find employees; and how long it takes to get vehicles. Costs have more than doubled since the last time proposals were requested five years ago. Kernan stated that she reached out to Joe Turchi, Wisconsin Department of Transportation Transit Procurement Manager, to tell him that the 44% increase was quite a shock and what, if anything, can be done? Kernan stated that Turchi responded with Clark County is not alone. All Transit Systems are seeing this sort of increase in rates due to inflation and current market conditions. The 44% increase is similar to what others have been experiencing. Unfortunately, Clark County cannot pursue a Best and Final Offer when only one proposal is received. The Best and Final Offer is used when two or more proposals are very close after evaluation. With only one proposal, a single bid analysis will need to be conducted. Kernan stated that single bid analysis was done and nothing disqualified the proposal. The only way to force a new proposal would be to decline the one received and issue a new Request for Proposal with reduced services and go through the whole process that was started in September. This would mean at least three months with no taxi service. The 2022 taxi rate is $28.34 per hour, increasing $12.60 per hour to $40.94 per hour in 2023. Clark County has decided to move forward and accept the proposal as others are also seeing this type of increase. The Federal and State contribute 55.25% of the funding. They are not yet sure of the final share. During COVID, they increased their share and they may do it again with everyone seeing these increases.

Council Member Julie Counsell asked if they are locked in for five years. Kernan replied “No”. The County’s Local Coordination Development Plan will be updated in 2024. The rate is adjusted for the Consumer Price Index in the second year and subject to negotiation and changes after that. Council Member Barb Petkovsek stated that she understands the cost increases, however it does not balance that the State can use CPI and they are under a levy limit. They need to work with legislators to get this changed if this is a service they want to provide. She asked what the second-year rate would be? Kernan replied $41 something. Council Member Counsell asked what does the City of Stanley contribute? Kernan replied, its population size. When the taxi service first started the City of Neillsville ran the program and the County co-oped with the City. Then, when the City’s population dropped below 2,500, the County became the lead. The City of Stanley was the only municipality in Clark County with a population over 2,500. The Clark County Taxi services the City of Stanley in order to keep taxi service in the County and City of Neillsville co-ops with the County now. Kernan stated the total grant is about $400,000 with the City contributing $128,000 and County $60,000. For every dollar spent, $4 are returned. The County Taxi does not leave the County. The Section 85.21 Specialized Transportation Grant is used to pay volunteers to take people to Marshfield appointments. Kernan stated a decision needs to be made at this meeting in order to meet the December 8th grant submission deadline. Council Member Petkovsek asked what populations are being served? Kernan stated that the taxi is being used by people going to and from work, children going to and from school/activities, seniors going to appointments and shopping, etc. Mayor Dewey Poeschel stated that this is very short notice, but recommended going forward, working with the County, getting more information, and looking into options. There was discussion regarding cutting hours, raising fares, working with our legislators, the State delays, delay in the Request for Proposal process, how the funding is calculated, (Total cost less fares received and then the balance is split; so raising fares will not be a dollar for dollar offset and will hurt mostly those who need the taxi service.) and getting up to date ridership numbers. In the end, the Council reluctantly approved the submission of the 2023 taxi grant application with Clark County and support of the City’s cost share. Council Member Counsell asked who else provides taxi services? Kernan replied the Request for Proposal was put out through the State Transit Procurement process to over 300 vendors and they only received one submission.

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