MATBUS Coordination Committee - 10.22.2026

The MATBUS Coordination Committee meeting for the City of Fargo was held October 28, 2026 (the meeting title references October 22). The committee approved the 2027 operating budget by roll-call vote; the capital budget was removed from the action item because it was not finalized. The revised operating budget includes about $122,000 more for fuel, a 3% cost-of-living adjustment, a 6.6% health-insurance cost increase, and staffing and compensation changes, while remaining slightly below the currently approved total. Proposed changes include a procurement and project manager to oversee federally funded procurements and capital projects, an estimated $8,400 service-coordinator reclassification, seven microtransit driver positions, and funding for one maintenance technician while leaving another vacant. No contract awards or vendor-selection votes were reported.

Members discussed differences between the proposed and approved budget allocations, including Moorhead’s share, and called for clearer budget updates during future cycles. The committee also discussed a comprehensive operations analysis with a potential $100,000 local match and planning for the GTC facility; decisions on capital work remain dependent on the analysis and funding. The new procurement/project-management role is intended to strengthen oversight of federal, state, and local capital projects, following an auditor recommendation. Other updates included the planned microtransit launch with VIA and federal grant review and reporting; no related purchasing approval was taken.