Commissioners forward E Tran 0.25-mill renewal language to full board for November ballot

Commissioner Barber told the Ways & Means Committee that E Tran has provided more than 90,000 rides in the past year and also supports Meals on Wheels and food‑bank deliveries, and he asked the committee to forward ballot language for a 0.25‑mill renewal to the full county board.

Barber disclosed that he serves on the E Tran board and urged colleagues to promote the service to constituents, warning that without renewal the agency could close in 2027. "If the millage is not passed next November, E Tran will close," Barber said. He described the agency’s mix of funding as coming from the millage, state and federal grants, and passenger fares.

Commissioner Haskell supported Barber’s context for the request, telling colleagues that proposals to take E Tran money into the general fund would be unlawful and highlighting the service’s role beyond transit, including meal and food deliveries. After brief questions about timing and ballot costs, a motion to forward the ballot language to the Board of Commissioners was moved, seconded and approved by the committee by voice vote.

The committee did not adopt a final local campaign position; it forwarded the ballot language to the Board of Commissioners for placement on the November ballot and for further consideration. Next steps: the full board will receive the ballot language and decide whether to finalize placement and any accompanying resolutions.