WAKULLA COUNTY, FL — After about two hours of public comment and discussion, the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged denied the approval of the Apalachee Regional Planning Council's recommendation for Big Bend Transit to become the Community Transportation Coordinator in Wakulla County.
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The Apalachee Regional Planning Council recommended Big Bend Transit for the 2026-2031 term. However, the commission held off on approving the bid after more than 20 people spoke at a meeting to support keeping the current coordinator, Wakulla Transportation.
Neighbors cited the quality of service and raised concerns about the legalities behind the proposal process.
"Moving from Miami, Wakulla transportation is one of the many blessings I am grateful for. Truly personal service...they see us, not just another rider," Sonia Guerra Nicks said.
A representative for Big Bend Transit shared how the company currently serves the elderly and neighbors with disabilities.
"We probably do a lot of transportation for the elderly, disabled people with disabilities, individuals that just don't have transportation. In 7 counties, we do 100,000 trips a year. So our crews are very in tune with the disadvantaged transportation," Shawn Mitchell said.
Commissioners questioned the recommendation due to concerns about the procurement process.
"My biggest concern with this is the procurement. We've only had one area that has had multiple people of life, and I'm concerned with the quality of the rubric, or that there is a potential or perceived potential, because there is a problem with the solicitation and how it actually scored,” Commissioner Krysta Charter said.
Commission Chair Monica Russell said the Wakulla County Board's decision should be taken into account.
“I'm still going back to the fact that I also believe in local control and local choices. And so, the fact that we do not have that local sign-off is very concerning," Russell said.
The commission wants more information, including a cost comparison, assurance of compliance with Chapter 427 of the Florida statutes, and reasons for the local board's disapproval.
The Executive Director of the Wakulla Senior Center said the commission made a fair decision.
"I was very impressed by their diligence, their due diligence, and not just going, 'Okay, this is recommended, approved, you know, stamp, stamp, stamps.' They're like, 'No, there's obviously some concern here. Let's look deeper into this.' And that made a big impact on me," Lara Edwards said.
Wakulla Transportation has been the Wakulla County Community Transportation Coordinator for the past 35 years. During the Request for Qualifications process for the 2026-2031 designation, both Wakulla Transportation and Big Bend Transit submitted applications.
During the Request for Proposal process, Big Bend Transit scored higher than Wakulla Transportation and received a favorable recommendation from the Apalachee Regional Planning Council.
But the local board voted against the recommendation, favoring Wakulla Transportation.
The Apalachee Regional Planning Council will have to gather the requested information and bring it before the commission in the coming weeks.
As of right now, there is no date set for the emergency meeting.
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