RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE ADRC TO PURCHASE A HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE VAN FOR THE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM USING DOT TRUST FUND AND AMENDING THE 2022 BUDGET FOR THIS PURPOSE

BACKGROUND:

The Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) provides needed transportation to the elderly and disabled clients through two Department of Transportation (DOT) grants.  Many clients are not ambulatory and must have a vehicle that will accommodate a wheelchair, motorized wheelchair, and/or scooter.  The ADRC has buses that accommodate such riders, but it is more cost effective to transport such clients in a van.

The ADRC currently has $66,610.75 in its DOT Trust fund account.  The Trust fund is to be used to purchase or maintain vehicles for the ADRC’s transportation program.  The State Department of Transportation does not allow the ADRC to have more than $80,000.00 in the fund at any one time; any funds over $80,000.00 must be returned to the state. 

In the 2022 budget, the ADRC anticipated purchasing a handicap accessible van in 2025.  However, with the cost of vehicles increasing and more limited availability (Dodge no longer makes a Caravan), the ADRC would like to purchase another vehicle to meet the over 100 requests for rides a week.  A& J Vans has a 2021 Chrysler Voyager for $35,030 after a $1,000 discount.  The package from BraunAbility that modifies the vehicle into a rear entry handicap accessible van is $21,995.  Title and license fee is $169.50, for a total of $57,194.50.  Currently there are not any passenger vans available through the state contract.  The ADRC Director has called several Chrysler locations and the least expensive Voyager was $48,000, before the BraunAbility package is added.

The state has given permission to use the trust fund to purchase the vehicle, if approved by the County Board.  Once the trust fund is reduced to less than $9,500, Sauk County will be better positioned to apply for a new bus from the 53.10 grant due in August.  The handicapped accessible vehicle will be purchased with DOT trust funds; no levy dollars will be used.