Council Member Jane Conard: Mountain Rides showed $24,000 surplus, not $45,000 loss

Council Member Jane Conard told the Sun Valley City Council on July 10 that a previously cited $45,000 shortfall for Mountain Rides was incorrect and that the agency "As of 5/31/17, Mountain Rides showed an excess of revenues over expenses - about $24,000." She said the $45,000 figure originated in remarks by Jason Miller about FY2018 revenue needs for an effective airport bus service, not the current fiscal year accounting.

Conard said the Mountain Rides budget request included a proposed 7.5 percent increase aimed at covering wage pressures after the agency had lost six bus drivers. She emphasized that "None of that 7.5% increase would be allocated to the airport route," and noted she could not guarantee how Mountain Rides would ultimately apply any funds because the agency "doesn't yet have its revenues." The council did not take a specific vote on Mountain Rides funding at the special meeting.