START Board urges Town and County to cover $1.5 million transit gap from General Fund
In an 5-2 vote, the START Board backed asking Jackson and Teton County to fill a $1.5 million operating shortfall with General Fund dollars, rather than cutting service.
The START Board voted 5-2 to ask the Jackson Town Council and Teton County Board of County Commissioners to cover a $1.5 million budget shortfall for START out of General Funds, according to the minutes included in the Oct. 22 packet START Board Regular Meeting Agenda Packet. The motion framed full local backfill as the “primary recommendation,” aimed at keeping current transit service in place.
The record shows this funding gap was tied to reduced federal operating support, with START requesting $5.9 million for fiscal 2027 and receiving about $3.4 million, creating the $1.5 million hole Budget Amendment Packet. Earlier, staff laid out the same request to amend the START budget and cover the $1.5 million shortfall from the General Fund as the preferred option ahead of public hearings and contingency planning July 23 START packet.
For folks trying to keep workers moving in from Star Valley and Teton Valley all winter, the open question is whether Town and County electeds will actually write the check, or push START back toward cuts.
Background
In 2026, the START Board twice voted 5-2 to recommend Town and County fully fund a $1.5M transit budget shortfall from General Funds, prioritizing service preservation and long-term planning amid reduced federal support.
Latest: 2026-10-22 — START Board formally voted 5-2 to affirm the recommendation for the Town Council and Board of County Commissioners to fully fund the $1.5M shortfall from General Funds, citing service preservation, equity, and time for long-term solutions. Also recommended forming a stakeholder funding group.
curated as of 2026-10-22
START's $1.5M gap is slated to be filled by the General Fund, with service cuts and fare hikes as backup options if needed.
Latest: 2027-01 — Earliest possible date for implementing new fare structure, contingent on Title VI review and public engagement.
curated as of 2026-08-29
START faces a $1.5M shortfall in FFY 2027 due to reduced federal funds, prompting possible service cuts or increased use of local General Funds. Final decisions are expected by September 2026.
Latest: 2026-10-01 — Start of FFY 2027; reduced federal funding takes effect. Further reductions expected through 2029.
curated as of 2026-08-07