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City commissioners didn't budge on a proposed budget allocation for public transit at the city's first budget hearing Wednesday night.
Commissioners want to give Winter Haven Area Transit $5,000 this year, $3,500 less than the $8,500 they have contributed in recent years.
Even after Paul Simmons, manager of Polk Transit, came before the commission to ask for the full amount, commissioners did not move, and even included an amendment to next year's agreement that they only contribute $5,000.
The motion was unanimously approved.
"We put an amount in there so the assumption is not that we will continue paying them in full," said City Manager Pete Gardner.
Traditionally, agreements between Polk Transit and cities in Polk County have not stipulated how much the city would give for public transportation -- just that the city would.
Simmons told commissioners that Polk Transit has not asked for higher contributions despite higher costs, such as fuel prices, because it has been able to save money by becoming more efficient and reducing service.
Polk Transit is funded mostly by the federal and state governments. Participating cities cover only about 10 percent of the costs, Simmons said.
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