Board of Trustees Meeting, 12/18/25

Board President Kendra Smith called the meeting to order at 4:03pm

Trustees Present: Kendra Smith, Mary Morrison, Heather Baker, Dr. W.L. Perryman, Lou Thomson, Zachary Schmidt, Gary Gonya- (virtual), Karen Poore, Brittany Ford, Joel Beren, and Matt Killam.

Trustees Absent: Heather Baker

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

A motion was made by Bud Thomson and seconded by Brittany Ford to approve the minutes of the November 13, 2025, Board of Trustees meeting and revision of September 18, 2025 Board of Trustees meeting. Joel Beren asked the reason for the revision and Stephen Hartman answered that there was an inaccuracy with the executive session portion of the 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.

Tarik Kadri was honored for his service to the TARTA Board of Trustees with Resolution 51-25. A motion was made by Kendra Smith with a first by Mary Morrison and seconded by Gary Gonya.

In Memoriam- Dennis St. Johns; Antonio Schiavone, Director of Maintenance and Charles Odimgbe, COO spoke about Dennis and his work ethic and dedication to TARTA. 

2026 Operating Budget Presentation; James Karasek, CFO, presented the budget which had been previously reviewed at the November and December Finance Committee meetings.

2026 Performance Management Program; Laura Koprowski, CEO and Susan Gettum, Chief Planning & Program Officer presented next year’s Performance Management Program goals, tactics and measurements.

The Finance Committee met on December 11, 2025. Kattie Bond, Director of Capital Projects, presented the Architecture & Engineering Maintenance Shop Upgrades. Resolution 44-25, 2026 Operating Budget and Resolution 46-25 to contract with R.E. Warner & Assoc. for A&E services for the Maintenance Shop upgrades were approved.

The Strategic and Operational Planning Committee met on December 11, 2025. Presentations included a draft of the new TARTA Strategic Plan by EXMI; the 2026 Performance Management Program which would retain a point system for the Board’s review of the CEO performance but provide a color-coded progress chart for the employees; and the January service changes to fixed-route and TARTA Move.

The Committee met on December 5, 2025 and reviewed all nominations for the Office of President and Vice President.

Consideration of Nominees: Trustee Kendra Smith was nominated for President by the Nominating Committee. Trustee Mary Morrison was nominated for President on the floor by Trustee Joel Beren. Trustee Morrison declined the nomination. Trustee Mary Morrison was nominated for Vice President by the Nominating Committee. Trustee Dr. Willie Perryman was nominated for Vice President on the floor by Trustee Smith. Trustee Dr. Perryman declined the nomination.

Vote by roll call for the office of President- Nominee Kendra Smith

Kendra Smith A, Mary Morrison Y, Dr. Perryman Y, Brittany Ford Y, Lou Thomson A, Joel Beren A, Zachary Schmidt Y, Gary Gonya Y, Karen Poore Y, Dr. Whitman Y (Y= yes A= abstain)

Vote by roll call for the office of Vice President- Nominee Mary Morrison

Kendra Smith Y, Mary Morrison A, Dr. Perryman Y, Brittany Ford Y, Lou Thomson Y, Joel Beren Y, Zachary Schmidt Y, Gary Gonya Y, Karen Poore Y, Dr. Whitman Y (Y= yes A= abstain)

Susan Gettum, Chief of Staff

A motion made by Gary Gonya and seconded by Mary Morrison to adopt Resolution No. 51-25 COMMENDING TARIK KADRI FOR OUTSTANDING SERIVCE AND LEADERSHIP TO THE TOLEDO AREA REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY AND TO THE COMMUNITY MEMEBERS OF LUCAS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF ROSSFORD. The motion was passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Dr. Perryman and seconded by Brittany Ford to adopt Resolution No. 45-25 NEORIDE BOARD APPOINTEE AND ALTERNATES. The motion was unanimously passed.

A motion was made by Gary Gonya and seconded by Mary Morrison to adopt Resolution No. 44-25 2026 OPERATING BUDGET. The motion was unanimously passed. 

A motion was made by Dr. Perryman and seconded by Joel Beren to adopt Resolution No. 46-25 A&E MAINTENANCE SHOP UPGRADES. The motion was unanimously passed.

A motion was made by Lou Thomson and seconded by Gary Gonya to adopt Resolution No. 50-25 TESCO EV PURCHASE. The motion was unanimously passed.

A motion was made by Gary Gonya and seconded by Zach Schmidt to adopt Resolution No. 48-25 APPROVING THE 2026 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. The motion was unanimously passed.

A motion was made by Lou Thomson and seconded by Brittany Ford to adpot Resolution no. 49-25 WINTER 2026 TITLE VI SERVICE CHANGE.

Secretary-Treasurer; CFO James Karasek

Cash and Investments remain strong at $58.4 million. Accounts Receivable are lower than last year due to timing of grant draws. Fringe Benefits overage is due to higher workers compensation premiums than budgeted also caused Human Resources to be over budget. Materials and Supplies are over mainly due to the purchase of radio equipment for service expansion, purchase of new AEDs, and software expense being higher than budgeted. This also caused Transportation, Paratransit, and Safety to be over budget. Claims and Insurance were over due to timing of OTRP shock loss fund contribution invoicing. Other was over budget due to timing of the Annual Community Update invoices. October Sales Tax was $3.53 million dollars compared to October 2024 of $3.38 million dollars. November Sales Tax was $2.99 million dollars compared to November 2024 of $3.10 million dollars. TARTA had $148,782 in Investment Income.

CEO Report-Laura Koprowski

A 2025 Year in Review was provided to the Board.  She highlighted the OPTA 2025 conference where two awards were presented to TARTA employees Laura Koprowski, CEO, and Kwinlyn Tyler, Community Affairs Manager. Laura wished the Board an enjoyable and restful holiday season and reminded Board Members that there would be two board meetings in January.  

Vice President Report

Mary Morrison reminded Board Members to read 2025 Year in Review and to reflect on all that has been accomplished. She thanked Board Members for their service to TARTA.

President Report

Kendra Smith announced that there will be a Special Board meeting on January 15, 2026 to review the final draft of the Strategic Plan. This meeting will replace the January Strategic & Operational Planning Committee meeting.  As a reminder January will begin the annual CEO Review process with the Board completing their portion in February. She thanked those Board Members who attended the annual OPTA Conference.

February 22, 2024

Meeting Calendar- The next regularly scheduled TARTA Board of Trustees meeting will take place on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the Knapp Street Board Room at 130 Knapp St., Toledo OH 4364

Adjournment- A motion was made by Bud Thomson and Gary Gonya seconded.