Vote: approved

Item Text

25. INCREASE TO COMMUTER BENEFIT SUBSIDY Approve an increase to the employee commuter benefits maximum subsidy amount from $68 per employee per month to $85.00 per employee per month in order to maintain the current levels of employee subsidies for the Platinum Pass Card Program and the Vanpool Subsidy Program. This change is a result of the Valley Metro fare structure increases which go into effect on July 1, 2009. Valley Metro is increasing the maximum monthly fare structure for the local and lightrail trips from $45 to $55 and the express and rapid trips from $68 to $85.00. Maricopa County has been subsidizing 100% of the cost of the Platinum Pass Card Program as a measure of the Trip Reduction Program to reduce employee single occupancy vehicle trips to 60% pursuant to the goals established by County ordinance. An equal subsidy amount is provided to employees participating in the Valley Metro Vanpool Program. In order to maintain the 100% subsidy level, the Board of Supervisors is requested to increase the maximum employee monthly subsidized amount from $68 per month to $85.00 per month. The Platinum Pass program is a pay-as-you-go program and the County is only charged for actual trip charges when an employee uses the Platinum Pass Card. All monthly charges are capped at the monthly maximum and once the cap is reached, additional trips are free of charge. The 100% subsidy program began June 17, 1996, as a three-month trial period and was extended on October 16, 1997, until June 25, 1997, directing departments to absorb any additional expenses within their allocated budgets. On May 28, 1997, the Board of Supervisors approved the 100% subsidy program indefinitely or until rescinded or modified by the Board of Supervisors. On July 15, 1998, the BOS approved an increase from $51.00 to $56.00 per month per rider effective August 1, 1998; and on November 14, 2007, the BOS approved an increase from $56 per month to $68 per month effective December 1, 2007. The BOS action and subsidy program are in support of the Maricopa County Trip Reduction Program. Actual charges for the subsidy program are part of department budgets and will be absorbed within their current appropriation amount. (C-71-09-006-2-00)