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The following actions were taken during the RTA’s Board of Directors monthly meeting on Wednesday, November 7, 2007:
Financial Audit Yields Positive Results
An independent accounting firm that audited the Agency’s financial activities for Fiscal Year 2007 presented its findings to Board members and concluded that RTA’s accounting practices were proper and its financial reporting was accurate. As expected, the audit indicated there were no disagreements with management, no material errors, no irregularities or possible illegal acts. It also determined that RTA not only met but exceeded the state’s minimum farebox ratio. Further, with more stringent audit requirements this past year, the auditors noted no matters involving the Agency's internal controls. The audit failed to identify any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses.
Agency to Examine Trust for Employee Retiree Benefits
Board members authorized RTA to examine participation in the California Employers Retiree Benefit Trust Program for the management of funds related to retiree medical benefits. The action is linked to requirements by the Government Accounting Standards Board, which mandates RTA and other public agencies to determine and recognize the future cost of retiree benefits and include them in financial statements. The trust program would provide RTA with a cost-effective means of protecting and managing the funds to be used for this specific liability.
Service Enhancements, New CommuterLink Route Approved
Board members approved several route enhancements, the discontinuation of one route, and the creation of a new CommuterLink route. The action follows a month-long public hearing period that solicited comments from dozens of people regarding changes to 26 routes, with the major changes affecting the 1, 7, 8, 14, 33, 36, 38, 61, 204, 206, 208 and the Jurupa Shuttle. As part of the decision, RTA will launch Route 210, a CommuterLink route that will travel Highway 60, linking the communities of Banning, Beaumont and Calimesa with Moreno Valley and Riverside. The Agency will also launch a new express route called 38E, which will link the Jurupa area to the East Ontario Metrolink Station where passengers may transfer to Omnitrans buses or Metrolink trains. RTA will also cancel Route 16E due to duplication of service with the new CommuterLink route. During the public hearing period, RTA hosted 11 community meetings throughout the region and used suggestions from those meetings to draft a final proposal for route changes.The public also had the opportunity to submit comments by mail, at RTA's website, e-mail, phone and at RTA's Riverside office. The changes, which will take effect Jan. 13, are the result of increasing ridership and the recently completed Comprehensive Operational Analysis, an intensive study that identified ways for the Agency to meet the transit needs of the growing region.
Perris Transit Center May Be Dedicated to Disney Animator
Board members approved the concept of dedicating the future Perris Transit Center to Ward Kimball, one of the original Disney animators. Kimball (1914-2002) created numerous classic Disney characters, including the crows in Dumbo; Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat in Alice and Wonderland; and Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio. He was also an avid railroad enthusiast who donated an 1881 steam locomotive to the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris. Plans to honor Kimball at the transit center include name plaques at the entrances and reproductions of his art at various points within the center. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Riverside County Transportation Commission, which is overseeing construction of the transit center. Groundbreaking for the facility is expected to occur in 2008.
The next Board meeting will be held on Thursday, December 20 at 2 p.m.
For more information, contact:
Bradley Weaver, Marketing Manager (951) 565-5172
bweaver@riversidetransit.com |
