Joint board to weigh $1.5M START budget amendment after federal cut
On Aug. 31, Jackson and Teton County officials will discuss amending the START FY 2027 budget to cover a $1.5 million federal funding shortfall, with General Fund dollars as the top recommendation and service cuts or fare hikes as fallback options.
Jackson Town Council and the Teton County Commission will discuss a START budget amendment on Aug. 31 to cover a $1.5 million shortfall tied to reduced federal operating support, with staff and the START Board recommending the joint board backfill the gap from Town and County General Funds. That approach would keep current service levels, while leaving time to pursue longer term funding options, according to the agenda packet’s staff report Special Joint Meeting Agenda Packet.
If the joint board does not cover the full gap, START staff laid out a menu of cuts and fare changes for consideration. The “initial” reduction list includes trimming marketing and professional services line items, reducing some Town Shuttle frequency after 8 p.m., scaling back Friday commuter runs, and shortening START On-Demand hours plus dropping stops at Albertsons and the Teton County Library. Staff estimate the initial package saves about $1.118 million, meaning deeper cuts or higher fares would still be needed to reach $1.5 million if General Fund support is limited Special Joint Meeting Agenda.
Background
Teton County faces a $1.5M federal funding cut for START transit in FY 2027, prompting a proposed budget amendment with service cuts, possible fare hikes, and a special joint meeting on August 31, 2026.
Latest: 2026-08-31 — Special joint meeting scheduled to discuss budget amendment addressing $1.5M federal funding reduction for START transit.
curated as of 2026-08-26
On September 14, 2026, Teton County will consider a START budget amendment with new local funding, fare hikes, and service cuts to address a $1.5M shortfall from reduced federal support.
Latest: 2027-01 — Target implementation date for new fare structure, pending Title VI review. Full-year revenue impact expected in FY28.
curated as of 2026-09-12
In FY27, County and Town approved $750,000 in new START funding (48% County, 32% Town, 20% partners) to prevent deeper service cuts and close a $1.5M budget gap.
Latest: 2026-11-02 — County and Town formally directed staff to work with TVA and business partners to secure $150,000 by December 15, 2026, to offset fare increases/service cuts.
curated as of 2026-10-29
Source Documents
| Date | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| August 31, 2026 | Special Joint Meeting Agenda | agenda |
| August 31, 2026 | Special Joint Meeting Agenda Packet | packet |