Committee approves 3.5% increase to Durrin Transportation contract; county to cover additional expense

Public Health Director Tina McDougall told the committee that Durrin Transportation, the county’s long‑standing transportation contractor for early intervention and preschool children, requested a 3.5% rate increase. McDougall said the contract CPI formula would have set a 2% increase effective Sept. 1 but Durrin asked for 3.5%, which would raise the county’s net expense by about $13,000 compared with approximately $9,600 at 2%.

The minutes state Public Health has sufficient budget to cover the additional expense for 2026, and that Durrin has been the vendor for many years and is effectively the only provider for center-based transport in the county. The County Attorney advised a resolution and contract amendment are needed; the committee voted to approve the 3.5% increase and authorized the Board chairman to sign a one‑year amendment. Committee members discussed alternatives, including county-operated transportation or school partnerships, and staff said they would produce cost estimates.