Board of Trustees Meeting, 11/13/2025

Board President Kendra Smith called the meeting to order at 4 p.m.

Trustees Present: Kendra Smith, Mary Morrison, Dr. Perryman, Lou Thomson, Zachary Schmidt, Gary Gonya, Karen Poore, Dr. Tiffany Whitman

Trustees Absent: Heather Baker, Brittany Ford, Joel Beren, Tarik Kadri

Officers Present: Laura Koprowski – CEO, James Karasek – Secretary-Treasurer, Stephen Hartman – General Counsel

A motion was made by Bud Thomson and seconded by Dr. Tiffany Whitman to approve the minutes of the October 16, 2025, Board of Trustees meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

Andy Cole
Reminder of Public Comment Guidelines

• Each speaker must sign in prior to the start of the meeting.
• Public comment is limited to 3 minutes per person or 5 minutes per group, per meeting.
• Public comment may also be provided in writing until 12:00 p.m. on the date of the scheduled board meeting and should be emailed to Andy Cole at acole@tarta.com.
• Please contact Andy Cole at acole@tarta.com or 419-245-5213 about providing comments at TARTA Board meetings, if special accommodations are needed to attend the meetings or with any questions.

A motion was made by Bud Thomson and seconded by Dr. Tiffany Whitman to approve the minutes of the October 16, 2025, Board of Trustees meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

Employee Engagement Survey Results

Matt Webb, TransPro

Performance Management Program (PMP) Update

Luke Allison and Ehren Bingaman, TransPro

Strategic Planning Update

Kim Radcliff, EXMI

The Finance Committee met on November 6, 2025. James Karasek, CFO, presented the 2026 Operating Budget Review. The focus was on key highlights from the budget, revenue, department and expense budgets as well.

The Policy Committee met on November 6, 2025. Rick Bailey, Chief Customer Experience & Mobility Officer, presented the revised ADA Policy Book. He discussed the updates made to the eligibility process and highlighted that the revisions ensure the ADA Policy Book are now in better compliance with the current requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Susan Gettum, Chief of Staff

RESOLUTION 41-25

A motion made by Dr. Perryman and seconded by Gary Gonya to adopt Resolution No. 41-25 AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (CEO) TO AMEND THE A.A. BOOS RESOLUTION NO. 51-24 FOR THE APRON, FENCE AND EMPLOYEE PARKIG LOT PAVING PROJECT AT 1127 W. CENTRAL. The motion passed unanimously.

RESOLUTION 42-25

A motion made by Mary Morrison and seconded by Lou Thomson to adopt Resolution No. 42-25 AUTHORIZED SIGNERS ON BANK ACCOUNTS FOR FIFTH THIRD BANK. The motion passed unanimously.

RESOLUTION 43-25

A motion made by Lou Thomson and seconded by Mary Morrison to adopt Resolution No. 43-25 AUTHORIZED SIGNERS ON BANK ACCOUNT FOR HUNTINGTON. The motion passed unanimously.

RESOLUTION 37-25
A motion made by Mary Morrison and seconded by Lou Thomson to adopt Resolution No. 37-25 AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO) TO APPROVE REVISIONS TO THE TARTA ADA COMPLIMENTARY PARATRANSIT SERVICES POLICY. The motion passed unanimously.

Secretary-Treasurer: CFO James Karasek

Cash and Investments remain strong at $58.3 million. Accounts Receivable are lower than last year due to timing of grant draws. Capital Assets not being Depreciated lower than last year due fewer large capital projects in progress. Accounts Payable are lower than last year primarily due to timing. Fringe Benefits overage is due to higher workers compensation premium than budgeted. Materials and Supplies are over mainly due to the purchase of tire monitoring units for fixed line buses, which also caused maintenance to be over budget. Claims and Insurance were over due to timing of OTRP invoices. Dues, Subscriptions, and Fees were over budget due to State Fees related to our Sales Tax being higher than expected. Other was over budget due to timing of the Bus Roadeo invoices. Planning is over budget due to timing of invoices related to the BRT planning study. Safety is over due to outside security service being higher than budgeted. September Sales Tax was $3.78 million dollars compared to September 2024 of $3.66 million dollars. October Sales Tax was $3.53 million dollars compared to October 2024 of $3.37 million dollars. TARTA had $140,591 in Investment Income.

Chief Executive Officer Laura Koprowski

The CEO reported on the 55-year anniversary of TARTA coming up in 2026. Celebrating Veterans Day with bus wraps and reduced rates for Veterans and active-duty military. The BRT Stakeholder Advisory Committee, WorkLink for Wood County, and Go Bus Service in Northwest Ohio. The EV Buses roll out is scheduled for November 17, 2025. CEO Coffee Chats start this week. Trustee Zachary Schmidt would like one in Rossford.

Vice President Mary Morrison

Vice President Mary Morrison recognized Veterans Day and thanked Board members for their service.

President Kendra Smith

President Kendra Smith reminded the members and attendees about the OPTA conference coming up November 19th and thanked all who would be attending.

The next regularly scheduled TARTA Board of Trustees meeting will take place on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 4 p.m. in the Knapp Street Board Room at 130 Knapp St., Toledo OH 43604

February 22, 2024

A motion was made by Mary Morrison and seconded by Lou Thomson to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 5:20pm.