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Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book PDF Free Download

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Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 0
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 1
HILLSBOROUGH TRANSIT AUTHORITY
BOARD CHAIR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LUIS VIERA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SCOTT DRAINVILLE
2025 BUDGET BOOK
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 2
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 3
SCOTT DRAINVILLE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
LORETTA KIRK CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
SEAN MCCARTHY CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
JACQUELINE HALLDOW CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
RICHARD CAMPBELL CHIEF OF SAFETY
YELENA PETIT EXECUTIVE OFFICE AND BOARD SUPPORT
BRENDA BAILEY LEGAL SERVICES
CATHY ZICKEFOOSE PROCUREMENT & CONTRACTS
LAURA IZZO FINANCIAL OPERATIONS
MELONIE WILLIAMS BUDGETS AND GRANTS
VACANT TRANSPORTATION
NICHOLAS GOULBOURNE FLEET MAINTENANCE
DALE SMITH FACILITIES MAINTENANCE
BRIAN ALLAN STREETCAR OPERATIONS
JUSTIN WILLITS PLANNING & SCHEDULING
DANIEL BRITO HUMAN RESOURCES
DAVID BOTELLO MARKETING
LYNDA CRESCENTINI PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE
DEXTER CORBIN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
CARLA WILLIAMS COMMUNITY & BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT
RICHARD CAMPBELL SAFETY, SECURITY, AND TRAINING
VACANT PARA-TRANSIT
DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 4
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 5
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A special thanks to the following teams for their assistance.
Budgets & Grants Team
Melonie Williams Director of Budgets and Grants
Gayle Torres Grants Management & Financial Analyst
Melissa Ajabshir Grants Management & Financial Analyst
Christine Mieczkowski Budget & Grants Operations Analyst
Moise Pluviose Sr. Budgets and Grants Analyst
Marketing ______
Kirk Mieczkowski Manager of Creative Services
David Grooms Communications Developer
Planning ______
Jesus Peraza Garcia Manager of Service Development
Omar Peerzada Senior Mobility Project Planner
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 6
Table of Contents
SECTION I - TRANSMITTAL LETTER ...................................................................................... 10
FY2025 RECOMMENDED BUDGET CONTEXT ............................................................................................10
INFLATION ............................................................................................................................................................11
INTEREST RATES ................................................................................................................................................11
SERVICE PLAN .....................................................................................................................................................12
COMBINED REVENUES ......................................................................................................................................13
OPERATING REVENUE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................14
OPERATING REVENUE DETAIL .......................................................................................................................15
COMBINED EXPENDITURES .............................................................................................................................17
CAPITAL BUDGET ...............................................................................................................................................23
PLANNING STUDIES, SAFETY, AND SECURITY PROJECTS: .................................................................28
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN ......................................................................................................................30
SECTION II - BUDGET GUIDE ..................................................................................................... 31
FY25 BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS ...................................................................................................................31
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................31
General Fiscal / Budget Policies .........................................................................................................................32
Basis of Accounting ............................................................................................................................................33
Basis of Budgeting ..............................................................................................................................................33
Definition of a Balanced Budget .........................................................................................................................34
Internal Budget Adjustments/Transfer ................................................................................................................34
Fund Balance & Reserves Policy ........................................................................................................................35
Fund Balance Reserve Designations ...................................................................................................................35
Self-Insurance Reserves ......................................................................................................................................35
Fiscal Policies For Investments And Debt ..........................................................................................................36
Fiscal Policy For Annual Operating Revenue .....................................................................................................37
BUDGET PROCESS AND CALENDAR ..............................................................................................................38
BUDGET MANAGEMENT PROCESS .................................................................................................................62
Operating Budgeting Process ..............................................................................................................................62
Capital Working Group and Budgeting Process .................................................................................................63
Budget Presentations and Budget calendar .........................................................................................................64
TRIM Process FY2025 .......................................................................................................................................65
SECTION III - ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW .......................................................................... 68
OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................................................68
HART GOVERNING BOARD ..............................................................................................................................68
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 7
MANAGEMENT ....................................................................................................................................................69
PERSONNEL ..........................................................................................................................................................69
EXPENSES BY DIVISION ....................................................................................................................................70
SERVICE AND RIDERSHIP .................................................................................................................................71
Fixed Route .........................................................................................................................................................71
Flex Route ...........................................................................................................................................................71
Paratransit ...........................................................................................................................................................72
Streetcar ..............................................................................................................................................................72
Support Vehicles .................................................................................................................................................72
Maps ...................................................................................................................................................................72
FARES ....................................................................................................................................................................75
FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ..............................................................................................................75
MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES ......................................................................................................................77
STRATEGIC PLANNING & PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT......................................................................79
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT PLAN (TDP) ..............................................................79
TDP 10-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN ......................................................................................................................81
Implementation Plan and Unfunded Needs ........................................................................................................86
30 Year Financial Plan ........................................................................................................................................87
Performance Scorecard .......................................................................................................................................88
SECTION IV - DIVISIONS .............................................................................................................. 90
OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................................................90
EXECUTIVE DIVISION ........................................................................................................................................90
Division Staffing .................................................................................................................................................91
Division Finances ...............................................................................................................................................91
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS: ...........................................................................................................................93
Executive Office, Government Relations, & Board Support ..............................................................................93
Legal .................................................................................................................................................................102
OPERATIONS DIVISION ...................................................................................................................................103
Division Staffing ...............................................................................................................................................103
Division Finances .............................................................................................................................................104
Operations .........................................................................................................................................................107
Fleet Maintenance .............................................................................................................................................115
Facility Maintenance.........................................................................................................................................119
Streetcar ............................................................................................................................................................122
Planning and Scheduling ..................................................................................................................................123
FINANCE DIVISION ...........................................................................................................................................125
Division Staffing ...............................................................................................................................................126
Division Finances .............................................................................................................................................126
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 8
Financial Operations .........................................................................................................................................129
Budgets and Grants ...........................................................................................................................................130
Procurement ......................................................................................................................................................131
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise ..................................................................................................................133
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION ..........................................................................................................................134
Division Staffing ...............................................................................................................................................134
Division Finances .............................................................................................................................................135
Project Management .........................................................................................................................................137
Risk ...................................................................................................................................................................140
Marketing & Communications .........................................................................................................................142
Information Technology ...................................................................................................................................144
Community & Business Engagement ...............................................................................................................147
Human Resources .............................................................................................................................................148
SAFTEY DIVISION .............................................................................................................................................149
Division Staffing ...............................................................................................................................................149
Division Finances .............................................................................................................................................149
Safety, Security and Learning & Development ................................................................................................151
SECTION V - STATISTICS........................................................................................................... 153
POPULATION STATISTICS ...............................................................................................................................153
Population Density ............................................................................................................................................154
Employment Density ........................................................................................................................................156
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND TRENDS .....................................................................159
Age Distribution ...............................................................................................................................................159
Persons with Disabilities ...................................................................................................................................160
Educational Attainment ....................................................................................................................................160
LABOR FORCE ...................................................................................................................................................161
Major Employers ..............................................................................................................................................162
Income Distribution ..........................................................................................................................................162
Poverty ..............................................................................................................................................................163
Race and Ethnic Origin .....................................................................................................................................166
Limited English Proficiency .............................................................................................................................169
Travel Behavior and Commuting Trends..........................................................................................................170
Automobile Ownership .....................................................................................................................................170
Commuter Profile and Overview ......................................................................................................................170
Commute Choices .............................................................................................................................................171
TOURISM .............................................................................................................................................................171
Seasonal Residents and Visitor Levels .............................................................................................................171
FINANCIAL STATISTICS ..................................................................................................................................174
Net Position ......................................................................................................................................................174
Reserves ............................................................................................................................................................175
Fixed Route Bus Service ...................................................................................................................................179
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 9
Demand Response Paratransit Service ..............................................................................................................181
Fixed Guideway Streetcar Service ....................................................................................................................183
Expenses by Program........................................................................................................................................185
SECTION VI - ACRONYMS ......................................................................................................... 187
SECTION VII - GLOSSARY ......................................................................................................... 190
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 11
INFLATION
Between March 2022 and March 2023, Tampa experienced the highest inflation rate in the
country, surpassing the nationwide rate of 9.2%. The entire Tampa Bay area, including Tampa-
St. Petersburg-Clearwater, saw an even greater increase, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI)
rising by 11.3% during that period, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Since that
time, U.S. inflation has steadily declined and was 3.3% as of May 2024 and is expected to
decrease further by the end of the year. The inflation rate for Tampa Bay is currently at 1.8%, as
reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Over-the-year percent change in CPI-U, Tampa-ST. Peterburg’s-Clearwater FL
May 2021-May 2024
INTEREST RATES
According to Trading Economics, the Federal Reserve maintained the target range for the federal
funds rate at 5.25%-5.5% in June 2024, aligning with market forecasts. Policymakers do not
anticipate reducing rates until there is greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably
toward the 2% target. Policymakers will continue to consider a broad range of information,
including labor market conditions, inflation pressures and expectations, and financial and
international developments. The Fed has not revised its GDP growth projections and continues
to forecast the economy will expand by 2.1% in 2024 and 2% in both 2025 and 2026
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 12
SERVICE PLAN
The proposed FY2025 Operating and Capital Budgets are based on and support the Authority's
operating service levels. Below are the projected service levels that were used to create the
FY2025 Budget.
Service Levels
SERVICE
FY22 Actual
FY23 Actual FY24 Budget
FY24 Projection
FY25 Budget
FIXED ROUTE
Revenue Miles
6,544,375
6,582,991
6,526,266
6,635,361
6,793,886
Revenue Hours
535,992
529,706
523,260
535,917
550,009
Ridership
9,644,403
11,062,383
10,296,530
11,712,284
12,486,730
PARATRANSIT
Revenue Miles
1,843,348
2,041,527
1,958,109
2,145,865
2,260,482
Revenue Hours
132,083
131,743
142,673
144,379
153,030
Ridership
215,548
230,811
207,732
253,436
278,279
STREETCAR
Revenue Miles
123,226
126,282
133,213
132,829
132,829
Revenue Hours
22,487
23,248
25,192
25,141
25,141
Ridership
1,107,584
1,281,399
1,665,198
1,430,002
1,595,838
ALL HART
Revenue Miles
8,510,949
8,750,800
8,617,588
8,914,056
9,187,197
Revenue Hours
690,562
684,697
691,125
705,437
728,180
Ridership
10,967,535
12,574,593
12,169,460
13,395,722
14,360,847
The service levels for Fixed Route Bus in FY2025 are projected to slightly increase from
FY2024. Seasonal adjustments are accounted for, with HART planning to provide 6.7
million revenue miles and 550,009 revenue hours.
Paratransit, an on-demand service operated by vans, will have service levels based on
forecasted ridership for FY2025. The projected service levels are 2.2 million revenue
miles and 153,030 revenue hours to meet the anticipated demand.
The Streetcar, a fixed guideway service running between Ybor City and downtown
Tampa, will maintain the same service levels as FY2024. Ridership is expected to
increase, provided fares remain free, with projections at 1.6 million. The planned service
includes over 132,000 revenue miles and 25,141 revenue hours.
Overall, the projected revenue miles for all modes are 9,187,197 with 728,180 revenue
hours, and ridership is expected to exceed 14 million.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 13
COMBINED REVENUES
Each year, HART presents a balanced budget. For FY2025, the Operating and Capital Budgets
total $188,701,786. This represents an 18% increase compared to the FY2024 Adopted Budget,
with an overall increase of $29,552,020.
Ad Valorem Tax Revenue
$77,716,458
41.18%
Federal Grants
$45,413,324
24.07% FTA Discretionary Grants
$32,688,247
17.32%
Fund Balance Transfers to
Capital ($4,877,262)
-2.58%
Ad Valorem Transfers to
Capital ($4,114,445)
-2.18%
Fare/Pass Revenues
$11,201,461
5.94%
Local Contributions,
$1,351,000
.72%
Advertising Income
$1,500,000
.79%
Other Income
$499,342
.26%
Tampa Historic Streetcar
Inc. $3,184,624
Interest Income
$2,362,900
1.25%
Capital Reserves
$6,202,080
3.29%
State Grants
$15,574,057
8.25%
FY2025 OPERATING AND CAPITAL REVENUE
$188,701,786
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 14
OPERATING REVENUE SUMMARY
HART’s total Operating Revenues for FY2025 are $117.3 million. The primary revenue source
is Ad Valorem property taxes, supplemented by fares, federal and state operating grants, local
contributions, interest income, advertising, and other income sources.
HART will
collect $77.7
million from
Ad Valorem
property
taxes,
accounting
for 66.25% of
the projected
revenue.
During
FY2025,
HART plans
to transfer
$4.1M or
3.51% to
support
HART’s
capital
program.
Federal operating grant comes from the Section 5307 Grants which constitutes 17.65%
or $20M of the budget.
Fare revenues are projected to make up 9.55% or $11M of the budget.
State operating funds, provided by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT),
make up 6.62% or $7.7M of the budget.
Other income, amounting to 0.43% or $499K, consists of claims recovery of $405K and
gains on the sale of capital equipment of $85K.
Local Contributions of 1.15% or $1.3M.
Tampa Historic Streetcar contributions of $2.71% or $3.1M.
Interest income constitutes 2.01% or $2.3M.
HART plans to transfer $4.8M to capital to meet Federal and State match requirements
for capital projects.
Ad Valorem Tax
Revenue
66.25%
Ad Valorem
Transfers to Capital -
3.51%
Federal Operating
Grants 17.65% State Operating
Grants
6.62%
Fare/Pass Revenues 9.55%
Local Contributions
1.15%
Advertising Income
1.28%
Other Income
0.43%
Tampa Historic
Streetcar, Inc.
2.71%
Interest Income
2.01%
Fund Balance
Transfers to Capital
-4.16%
FY2025 OPERATING REVENUE
$117,305,565
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 15
OPERATING REVENUE DETAIL
Ad Valorem is the largest source of revenue for HART, derived from a .5000 millage property
tax collected in Hillsborough County. For FY2025, Ad Valorem revenue is projected to increase
by 6.6%, or $4.8 million, from
FY2024. This increase is attributed to
rising property values in Hillsborough
County. Per policy, HART budgets Ad
Valorem revenues at 95% of the
projected amount.
Federal Operating Grant –
Section 5307 Grant can be used
for operating or capital. For
FY2025 this grant is budgeted
at $20.7M for operations,
reflecting a 33% increase or
$5.2M in FY2025.
State Operating grants are
budgeted at $7.7M, which is an
increase of 12.5% or $865,181.
This increase is due to the
Customer Choice grant HART
did not receive this in FY2024.
Local Contributions are budgeted slightly higher than FY2024 at 1.15%. This $1.3M in
contributions helps fund the Streetcar operation. These funds come from the Tampa Downtown
Partnership, Tampa Community Redevelopment Areas, Downtowner Reapportionment, and the
City of Tampa.
$12.3
$4.4
$15.2
$20.7
$8.5 $9.1
$6.2 $7.7
$2.3 $1.3 $1.3 $1.3
$0.0
$5.0
$10.0
$15.0
$20.0
$25.0
FY22 Budget FY23 Budget FY24 Budget FY25 Budget
Federal, State, and Local Contributions
(In Millions)
Federal State Local Contribution
$52.6 $57.0 $65.3 $72.8 $77.7
FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25
Ad Valorem Taxes
(In Millions)
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 16
Fares, Interest Income,
and Streetcar are
budgeted at $16.7M for
FY2025.
The fare budget has
been increased to
$11.2M resulting in an
increase of 27% or
$2.4M. This is due to
the projected increase in
ridership.
The interest income budget has increased by 214%, or $1.6M. This increase is due to the
increase in interest rates and increase in fund balances.
Tampa Historic Streetcar (THS) reimbursement has increased by 238% or $2.2M. The
increase is due to including HART’s overhead expenses in the THS budget in FY2025.
Advertising revenue is budgeted
at $1.5M for FY2025, which is
the same amount budgeted in
FY2024. This includes
advertisements placed on
HART’s buses and streetcars.
Other income is budgeted at
$499K, a decrease of $80K from
FY2024. The decrease is due to
the fuel credit trend from
FY2024.
FY22
Budget
FY23
Budget
FY24
Budget
FY25
Budget
Tampa Streetcar $339,960 $742,748 $742,748 $3,184,624
Interest Income $74,400 $84,000 $750,000 $2,362,900
Fare/Pass $8,088,700 $10,903,077 $8,797,549 $11,201,461
$0
$5,000,000
$10,000,000
$15,000,000
$20,000,000
Fare/Pass, Interest Income and Tampa Historic
Streetcar
Fare/Pass Interest Income Tampa Streetcar
$1.20 $1.50 $1.50 $1.50
$0.95 $0.94 $0.57 $0.49
$0.00
$0.50
$1.00
$1.50
$2.00
$2.50
$3.00
FY22 Budget FY23 Budget FY24 Budget FY25 Budget
Advertising & Other Income
(In Millions)
Advertising Other Income
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 17
COMBINED EXPENDITURES
The combined operating and capital expenses for FY2025 are $188,701,786. Of this amount, 62%,
or $117,305,565 is budgeted for operating costs, and 38%, or $71,396,221 is budgeted for capital
costs. The chart below shows a breakdown, and the next section contains details.
Salaries and Wages
$57,407,953
30.42%
Fringe Benefits
$12,772,123
6.77%
Healthcare
$13,726,066
7.27%
Operational Contract
Services $10,099,777
5.35%
Parts and Supplies
$6,251,440
3.31%
Insurance / Claims
$3,325,401
1.76%
Fuel and Oil
$5,185,628
2.75%
Administrative Other
$3,975,918
2.11%
Administrative Contracts
$2,002,929
1.06%
Legal Services
$500,000
.26%
Utilities
$1,226,304
.65%
Marketing and Printing
$477,843
.25%
Taxes and Fees
$354,183
.19%
Capital Projects
$71,396,221
37.84%
FY2025 EXPENSES BY CATEGORY
$188,701,786
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 18
Personnel costs are the largest portion of the operating budget at 71.53% or $83,906,142.
Personnel costs include salaries, fringe benefits, and health care.
The next largest category of the operating budget is Operational Contract Services at 8.61% or
$10M of the budget. This is used for Security, Init fare system, Yellow Cab, Trapeze scheduling
software, and ADP HR and Payroll system.
Parts and Supplies total 5.33% of the operating budget.
Fuel and Oil total 4.42%, including diesel, CNG, propane, and gasoline.
Administrative Contracts Services total 1.71%, including professional fees, audit fees, consultant
fees, drug and alcohol screening fees, DOT physicals, actuarial fees, HR Services, temporary help,
safety and security contracts, environment consultants, and technology consultants.
Administrative Other total 3.39%, including organization programs and events,
training/seminars, dues, subscriptions and fees, business travel costs, leases and rentals, parking
fees, office supplies, merchant fees, tax collector commission, property appraisal, and tolls.
Utilities total 1.05%, including electricity, natural gas for the facilities, telephone, and internet
services.
Legal Services total .43%, including general counsel, general liability, labor attorney, and legal
fees.
Marketing and printing total .41%, including advertising and promotion, ridership development,
system promotion, schedules, community outreach, and fare media. Taxes and Fees total .30%,
including licenses and permits, diesel and gas tax, and vehicle inspections.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 19
HART has budgeted 814.75 positions for FY2025, categorized as follows: 615.75 positions
(75%) are Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) members, 144 positions (18%) are non-
bargaining staff, and 55 positions (7%) are Teamsters.
Salaries, Fringes, and Health Insurance represent the largest expense portion of the FY2025
budget at 71.53% $83.9M.
Salaries are budgeted at 48.94% or $57.4M, an increase of 5% or $3.0M. The increase is
due to projected Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).
Fringes are budgeted at 10.89% or $12.7M, an increase of 3.5% or $452K. Health
Insurance is budgeted at 11.70% or $13.7M, an increase of 13.8% or $1.8M. The increase
is due to the projected FY2025 health insurance rates.
$12.3 $12.3 $12.4 $12.7
$10.3 $11.8 $12.0 $13.7
$52.6 $54.3 $53.6 $57.4
FY23 Actual FY24 Budget FY24 Projections FY25 Budget
Salaries, Fringes and Health Care
(In Millions)
Fringe Health Care Salaries and Wages
ATU FTEs
615.75
75%
Teamsters FTEs
55
7%
Non-Bargaining FTEs
144
18%
FY2025 BUDGETED POSITIONS
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 20
Operational Contract Services, Administrative Contracts, and Insurance together comprise the
second largest expense group in the FY2025 budget at 13.15% or $15.4M of the budget.
Operational Contracts
Services are budgeted at
8.61% or $10M of the
budget, an increase of
2% to $200K. The
increase is due to
inflation.
Administrative Contracts
are budgeted at 1.71%,
or $2M, of the budget, a
decrease of $194K.
Insurance is budgeted at
2.83%, or $3.3M, of the
budget, an increase of
$70K.
Parts and supplies,
fuel and oil, and
utilities are
estimated at 10.8%
or
$12.6M of the
budget.
Parts and supplies
for maintaining
assets are estimated
at 5.33% or
$6.2M.
Fuel and oil are
estimated at $5.1M.
This includes
Diesel fuel
estimated at $4.00
per gallon.
$5.3
$4.7
$1.1
$6.1
$4.9
$1.1
$5.5
$3.7
$1.1
$6.2
$5.1
$1.2
$0.0
$1.0
$2.0
$3.0
$4.0
$5.0
$6.0
$7.0
Parts and Supplies Fuel And Oil Utilities
Parts, Supplies, Fuel and Utilities
(In Millions)
FY23 Actual FY24 Budget FY24 Projections FY25 Budget
$7.7
$15.0
$3.1
$9.8
$2.1 $3.2
$9.3
$1.0
$3.3
$10.0
$2.0
$3.3
$0.0
$2.0
$4.0
$6.0
$8.0
$10.0
$12.0
$14.0
$16.0
Operational Contract
Service
Admin Contract Service Insurance Cost
Operational Contract Services, Administrative
Contracts and Insurance
(In Millions)
FY23 Actual FY24 Budget FY24 Projections FY25 Budget
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 21
Unleaded Gasoline is estimated at $3.60 per gallon, and CNG is estimated at $1.25 per diesel
gallon equivalent. HART maintains a contract for bulk fuel that is also utilized by Hillsborough
County, PSTA, and Plant City.
Utilities are budgeted at $1.2M. The increase is due to projected FY2025 rate increases by TECO, the
electric company
Administrative Other, Legal Services, Marketing, and Taxes make up 4.53% or $5.3M of the
budget.
Administrative Other is budgeted at 3.39% or $3.9M. This is an increase of 232% or $2.7M from
the FY2024 budget. The increase is due to the Tax Collector Commission.
Legal Services are budgeted at .43% or $500K, a decrease of 37% or $302K from FY2024.
Marketing and Printing is budgeted at .41% or $477K, an increase of 60% or $180K from
FY2024.
Taxes and Fees are budgeted at .30% or $354K.
$1.0
$0.4 $0.4 $0.2
$1.1
$0.8
$0.3 $0.3
$2.6
$0.6
$0.4 $0.1
$3.9
$0.50 $0.47 $0.35
$0.00
$0.50
$1.00
$1.50
$2.00
$2.50
$3.00
$3.50
$4.00
$4.50
Admin Other Legal Services Marketing and Printing Taxes & Fees
Administrative Other, Legal Services, Marketing and Taxes
(In Millions)
FY23 Actual FY24 Budget FY24 Projections FY25 Budget
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 22
The following chart shows the operating revenues and expenses in a condensed format. This chart
shows the actuals from FY2023, the budget for FY2024, the projection for FY2024, and the
FY2025 budget.
FY2025 OPERATING REVENUES AND EXPENSES SUMMARY
Operating Revenues
FY23
Actual
FY24
Budget
FY24
Projection
FY25
Tentative
Budget
FY25 %
of Total
Budget
Ad Valorem Tax Revenue *
$66,018,626
$72,865,413
$73,833,437
$77,716,458
66.25%
Ad Valorem Transfers to Capital
($95,000)
$0
$0
($4,114,445)
(3.51%)
Federal Operation Grants - ARP Act
$19,932,511
$18,029,345
$18,029,345
$0
0.00%
Federal Operating Grants
$18,724,680
$15,522,763
$15,522,763
$20,710,168
17.65%
State Operating Grants
$6,759,964
$6,906,138
$8,720,000
$7,771,319
6.62%
Fare/Pass Revenues
$8,797,549
$10,459,678
$11,201,461
9.55%
Local Contributions
$1,290,000
$1,317,750
$1,317,750
$1,351,000
1.15%
Advertising Income
$1,660,701
$1,500,000
$1,400,000
$1,500,000
1.28%
Other Income
$397,023
$579,998
$500,000
$499,342
0.43%
Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc.
$300,458
$941,012
$941,012
$3,184,624
2.71%
Interest Income
$1,958,613
$751,000
$2,200,000
$2,362,900
2.01%
Fund Balance/Transfer (To) Capital
$0
$0
$0
($4,877,262)
(4.16%)
Fund Balance/Transfer (To) From
Reserves
$0
($18,522,188) ($18,522,188) $0 0.00%
TOTAL OPERATING
REVENUES
116,947,576 108,688,780 114,401,797 117,305,565 100%
*HART budgets at 95% of Ad Valorem proceeds
Operating Expenses FY23
Actual
FY24
Budget
FY24
Projection
FY25
Tentative
Budget
FY25 %
of Total
Budget
Salaries and Wages
$52,628,585
$54,388,999
$53,649,562
$57,407,953
48.94%
Fringe Benefits Salaries/Wages
$12,352,995
$12,319,725
$12,414,943
$12,772,123
10.89%
Health Care *
$10,380,798
$11,835,919
$12,021,302
$13,726,066
11.70%
SUB-TOTAL PERSONNEL
COSTS
$75,362,378 $78,544,643 $78,085,807 $83,906,142 71.53%
Operational Contract Services
$7,710,944
$9,899,461
$9,345,765
$10,099,777
8.61%
Parts and Supplies
$5,383,658
$6,145,664
$5,582,440
$6,251,440
5.33%
Insurance / Claims
$3,187,346
$3,255,064
$3,346,682
$3,325,401
2.83%
Fuel and Oil
$4,738,543
$4,969,632
$3,788,056
$5,185,628
4.42%
Administrative Other
$1,077,730
$1,195,120
$2,624,075
$3,975,918
3.39%
Administrative Contracts
$1,549,238
$2,197,416
$1,091,546
$2,002,929
1.71%
Legal Services
$448,511
$802,317
$603,823
$500,000
0.43%
Utilities
$1,162,030
$1,117,678
$1,124,294
$1,226,304
1.05%
Marketing and Printing
$399,869
$297,336
$448,204
$477,843
0.41%
Taxes and Fees
$186,928
$264,448
$137,214
$354,183
0.30%
TOTAL OPERATING
EXPENSES
$101,207,175 $108,688,780 $106,177,906 $117,305,565 100%
*net of employee contribution for healthcare premiums
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 23
CAPITAL BUDGET
Each year HART creates a Capital Budget. The FY2025 Capital Budget primary revenue
sources are federal and state grants. The ability to undertake capital projects each year is based
largely on the amount of federal grant revenues available to HART. In FY2025, federal
funding constitutes 34.60% of the Capital Budget.
FTA Discretionary Grants represent 45.78% of capital revenue to fund HART’s FY2025
capital projects. FTA Discretionary Grants are funding opportunities that HART will pursue
to complete capital projects.
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) grants represent 10.93% of the capital budget.
HART receives funding from FDOT to help with the purchase of new Paratransit vans, and
other eligible capital projects.
Capital Reserves and Ad Valorem Transfers, 8.69% of the capital budget will fund capital
projects or will be used as local matching funds for capital projects.
FTA Discretionary
Grants 45.78%
Capital Reserves and
Ad Valorem Transfers
8.69%
Florida Department of
Transportation 10.93%
Community Project
Funding 5.18%
FTA Bus and
Bus Facilities
Formula
(5339) 2.08%
FTA State of
Good Repair
Formula
(5337) 1.54%
Section 20005b Pilot
TOD Land Use
Planning .49%
FTA Urbanized Area
Formula (5307) 25.31%
FY2025 CAPITAL REVENUE
$71,396,221
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 24
The HART FY2025 Capital Budget is $71,396,221, which is 41% or $20,935,235 more than
the FY2024 Adopted Capital Budget. The FY2025 Capital Projects are categorized as follows:
Vehicles/Maintenance: This category includes expenses for new buses, paratransit vans, non-
revenue vehicles, and the maintenance of HART’s fleets. It accounts for $25,318,162 or
35.46% of the FY2025 Capital Projects.
Facilities/Construction: This includes expenses related to HART facilities and maintenance. It
represents $24,132,991 or 33.80% of the budget.
Technology: These projects cover the acquisition of new IT equipment, replacement of
outdated equipment, and equipment that has reached the end of its useful life. This category
constitutes $12,155,825 or 17.03% of the FY2025 Capital Projects.
Bus Stops/Shelters: This involves funding for new bus shelters and maintenance of existing
ones. It represents $8,388,038 or 11.75% of the budget.
Planning/Studies: These expenses are for planning new projects that HART will undertake in
FY2025, totaling $800,000 or 1.12% of the FY2025 Capital Projects.
Safety and Security: These expenses are dedicated to ensuring the safety of HART’s patrons
and staff, amounting to $601,205 or .84% of the FY2025 Capital Budget
Vehicles/Maintenance
35.46%
Facilities/Construction
33.80% Technology
17.03%
Planning/Studies
1.12%
Bus Stops/Shelters
11.75%
Safety/Security
.84%
FY2025 CAPITAL EXPENSES
$71,396,221
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 25
Vehicles and Maintenance Projects:
Replacement of 40' diesel buses with CNG buses - $13,174,400. HART replaces buses beyond
their useful life of 12 years or 500,000 miles with new CNG buses. CNG buses are low-emission
vehicles.
Radio System - $6,000,000. This project is to replace radios with a P25 radio system.
Replacement of Paratransit/Flex vans - $3,638,480. Paratransit vans have a useful life of 5 years
or 150,000 miles. Currently, 19 paratransit vans are budgeted for replacement.
Engine and Transmission replacements - $850,080. Replacement of engines/transmissions are
due to accidents and failures.
Streetcar Rebuild Phase II - $747,200. The renewal of replica trolley cars to “new” condition
suitable for operation on the current HART system.
Non-Revenue Vehicles for Operations - $344,921. These are to replace vehicles that have
exceeded their useful life.
Fluid Monitoring - $200,000. Replacement of the complete fluid monitoring system.
Alignment Machine - $138,081. The existing front-end alignment machine has exceeded its
useful life.
Streetcar Vehicles Maintenance Parts - $100,000.
Forklift Replacement - $40,000. The forklift has exceeded its useful life.
CNG Buses
52.04%
Engine and Transmission
Replacements
3.36%
Paratransit/Flex
Replacement
14.37%
Alignment Machine
.55%
Streetcar Vehicle
Maintenance
.39%
Non-Rev Vehicles
1.36%
Fluid Monitoring system
.79%
Radio System
24.03%
Forklift Replacement
.16%
Streetcar Rebuild (Phase
2)
2.95%
VEHICLES AND MAINTENANCE
$25,318,162
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 26
Facilities and Construction Projects
Heavy Maintenance building renovation/reconstruction - $19,890,759. Design and
Construction of a New Heavy Maintenance Facility to replace the existing Heavy
Maintenance Facility that has exceeded its useful life.
Marion Transit Center (MTC) - $1,634,640. This will fund the update to the facility.
Operation Control Center (OCC) - $1,000,000. This will fund the relocation of the OCC.
Sealcoat and Stripe Parking - $437,592. This will fund the upgrade to HART’s bus and
facilities parking lots.
South Substation Transformer replacement - $250,000.
Unleaded Fuel Tank - $250,000.
Marion Transit Center (MTC) elevator upgrade - $140,000. This will fund the upgrade to
existing elevator.
HVAC Replacement Streetcar - $80,000. The HVAC has exceeded its useful life.
Parts Washer - $50,000. The Parts Washer has exceeded its useful life.
Heavy Maintenance Building
Renovation/Reconstruction
82.42%
UATC Renovation
.83%
Bus Bay
Post Lifts
.21%
Netpark
Renovation
.62%
HVAC Replacement
.33%
Unleaded Fuel Tank
1.04%
OCC Renovation
4.14% MTC
Elevator
.58%
MTC Upgrade
6.77%%
Parts Washer
.21%
Sealcoat and Stripe
Parking Lots
1.81%
Transformer
Replacement
1.04%
FACILITIES AND CONSTRUCTION
$24,132,991
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 27
Technology Projects:
Computer Aided Dispatch/Automatic Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) system -
$10,100,000. Many components of the existing system have reached their end of life, and
HART has identified the need to improve technological tools to assist in communications
and managing operations.
Flamingo Fares System Enhancements - $488,722.
HRIS Implementation - $350,000.
Critical Network Infrastructure - Core Data Center Routers - $202,103.
Audiovisual Equipment Upgrade - 21st Training Room - $200,000.
Enterprise Digitization of Records - $200,000.
OPS Integrated Yard Mapping - $190,000.
Requisition and Contracts Management System - $150,000.
Wireless Network Infrastructure - $75,000.
EAM Reconfiguration and Modernization - $45,000.
CAD/AVL System
83.09%
Edge Routers
1.66% Laptop Replacements
1.28%
Audiovisual Equipment
Upgrade
1.65%
EAM Reconfiguration
.36%
OPS
1.56% Digitization
1.65%
CM System
1.23%
HRIS Implementation
2.88%
Flamingo Fares
4.02%
Wireless Network
Infrastructure
.62%
TECHNOLOGY
$12,155,825
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 28
Bus Stop and Shelters Projects:
Basic Transit Infrastructure (BTI) is essential for the Authority to function. HART budgets to
replace and improve the BTI each year.
Shelters and Amenities -
$5,478,112.
Construction of Bus Bay,
Landing and Shelter pads -
$1,420,051.
Bus Stop Technology -
$1,000,000 will be used to
upgrade technology at transfer
stations and bus stops.
BTI Engineering and Design for
Shelters and Stops - $489,875
Planning Studies, Safety, and Security Projects:
Security Surveillance
System on Facilities
Security - $424,743.
Pilot Transit - Oriented
Development (TOD)
Land use planning -
$350,000.
CAD/AVL
Implementation -
$300,000.
Safety and Security
Projects - $176,462.
A&E Contract (Capital
Program) - $150,000.
Construction
of Bus Bay,
Landing &
Shelter Pads
16.93%
Shelters,
Amenities and
Bus Stop
Improvements
65.31%
BTI Engineering &
Design (Shelters &
Bus Bays)
5.84% BTI Emerging
Bus Stop
Technology
11.92%
BUS STOP AND SHELTERS
$8,388,038
CAD/AVL
Implementation
21.41%
Section 20005b
Pilot TOD Land
Use Planning
24.98%
A&E Contract
10.71%
Security Surveillance System
on Facilities
30.31%
Safety and
Security Projects
12.59%
PLANNING STUDIES, SAFETY, AND SECURITY PROJECTS
$1,401,205
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 29
The chart below shows the revenue sources and project categories for the Capital Budget and
compares FY2025 to FY2024.
CAPITAL REVENUES AND EXPENSES SUMMARY
REVENUE SOURCE
FY24
Adopted
Budget
FY25
Proposed
Budget
FY24 vs. FY25
Budget Variance
FTA Discretionary Grants
$19,145,581
$32,688,247
$13,542,666
Capital Reserves and Ad Valorem Transfers
$0
$6,202,080
$6,202,080
Florida Department of Transportation
$107,500
$7,802,738
$7,695,238
Community Project Funding
$0
$3,700,000
$3,700,000
FTA Bus and Bus Facilities Formula (5339)
$3,080,940
$1,483,081
($1,597,859)
FTA State of Good Repair Formula (5337)
$1,219,100
$1,097,200
($121,900)
FTA 5324
$900,000
$0
($900,000)
Section 20005b Pilot TOD Land Use Planning
$0
$350,000
$350,000
FTA Urbanized Area Formula (5307)
$26,007,865
$18,072,875
($7,934,990)
Total Capital Revenues
$50,460,986
$71,396,221
$20,935,235
PROJECT CATEGORY
FY24
Adopted
Budget
FY25
Proposed
Budget
FY24 vs. FY25
Budget Variance
Vehicles and Maintenance
$19,309,883
$25,318,162
$6,008,279
Facilities and Construction
$10,050,000
$24,132,991
$14,082,991
Technology
$14,559,171
$12,155,825
($2,403,346)
Planning and Studies
$850,000
$800,000
($50,000)
Bus Stops/Shelters
$5,365,470
$8,388,038
$3,022,568
Safety and Security
$326,462
$601,205
$274,743
Total Capital Projects
$50,460,986
$71,396,221
$20,935,235
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 30
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Each year during the Capital Budget process, a five-year capital plan is created. Although only the
current year is budgeted, the future years are used in planning. Understanding planned future
projects can aid HART in finding grant and partnership opportunities. Below is the current five-
year capital plan:
FY2025-FY2029 CAPITAL PLAN
Project
Description
FY25
Budget
FY26
Capital
Plan
FY27
Capital
Plan
FY28
Capital
Plan
FY29
Capital
Plan
Five-Year
Capital Plan
Vehicles and
Maintenance
$25,318,162 $18,413,375 $20,624,972 $28,010,357 $19,206,676 $111,573,542
Facilities and
Construction
$24,132,991 $17,050,000 $46,800,000 $58,000,000 $2,000,000 $147,982,991
Technology $12,155,825 $332,772 $0 $125,000 $125,000 $12,738,597
Bus Stops and
Shelters
$8,388,038 $4,957,048 $4,200,000 $4,200,000 $4,200,000 $25,945,086
Planning and Studies $450,000 $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 $1,050,000
Safety and Security $601,205 $409,926 $409,926 $409,926 $409,926 $2,240,909
TOTAL FIVE-
YEAR CAPITAL
PLAN
$71,396,221 $41,313,121 $72,184,898 $90,895,283 $26,091,602 $301,881,125
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 31
SECTION II - BUDGET GUIDE
The purpose of this section is to describe the contents of the 2025 Operating and Capital budgets
for Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART). This section is an aid to those reading the budget
book. Each section provides further detail and direction for the readers.
FY25 BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
The priority in the 2025 budget was to maintain existing services and minimize increased expenses
due to inflation. The key areas of focus in the Capital Budget for FY25 is the implementation of
the computer-aided dispatch/automatic vehicle location system. The upgraded system will enable
real-time communication between dispatchers and operators, providing supervisors with detailed
real-time overview of vehicle locations.
The agency has been working hard to continue to establish relationships with local, state, and
federal partners to find funding to build a new maintenance facility.
The Transmittal Letter is the Chief Executive Officer’s executive summary letter, which
provides an overview of the Authority’s operations, and finances for the upcoming fiscal year. It
explains service levels, staffing, revenues, and expenditures.
The Budget Guide explains the Authority’s Board policies, Financial and Budget Policies, Budget
Management process, and Budget Calendar and cycles.
Organization Overview breaks down and describes the mission, vision, and values, provides the
strategic plan and performance management, and the organizational charts.
Divisions Overview shows the divisions and the departments in those divisions. The section
presents the adopted budget plan for each department, as well performance measures, priorities for
the department, staffing summaries, and prior year achievements.
Statistics section provides information that is collected by the agency and used to make decisions.
The areas of focus are the population, labor force, tourism, and finally financial statistics.
OVERVIEW
Pursuant to the Special Act which created the Authority and Florida Statutes Chapter F.S. 189.016,
the annual operating and capital budget authorizing expenditure of funds shall be proposed
annually by the Board of Directors and is the statutory spending authority.
Government resources are accounted for based on the purpose for which they are to be spent and
how spending activities are controlled.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 32
The Hillsborough Transit Authority is accounted for as a Business Type Activity (Enterprise
Fund), as defined by Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 34, Basic
Financial Statements – Management's Discussion and Analysis – for State and Local
Governments and their budget and financial statements are presented on the accrual basis of
accounting.
Enterprise funds distinguish operating revenues and expenses from non-operating items. Operating
revenues and expenses generally result from providing services in connection with the fund's
principle ongoing operational activities. Charges to customers represent the Authority's principal
operating revenues and include passenger fees, and revenues from advertising. Operating expenses
include the cost of operating, maintaining, and supporting transit services and related capital assets,
administrative expenses, and depreciation. All revenues and expenses not meeting this definition
are reported as non-operating or other revenues and expenses.
The 900 series of HART board policies cover the financial and budgeting policies for the
organization.
GENERAL FISCAL / BUDGET POLICIES
The annual operating budget of HART shall balance the public transit service needs of the
community with the fiscal capabilities of HART. It is intended to achieve the goals and objectives
established by the HART Board for the following fiscal year. HART programs will represent
public transportation needs in compliance with various State and Federal regulations. A balance
between personnel and other classes of expenditures will also be achieved.
HART recognizes that its citizens deserve a commitment from HART to be fiscally responsible
and that a balanced operating budget is the cornerstone of fiscal responsibility. Annual operating
expenses will be fiscally balanced with revenues or income estimates that can reasonably and
normally be planned to be received during the fiscal year. New programs or changes in policies,
which would require the expenses of additional operating funds, will be funded either through
reductions in existing programs of lower priority or through adjustments to fees, service charges,
or taxes. Requests for new or changes to programs or policies will be accompanied by an analysis
of the short and long-term impact on the operating budget caused by such changes or new programs
or policy.
New programs, services, or facilities shall be based on general citizen demand or need.
HART shall prepare and implement a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that shall schedule the
funding and construction of projects for five years. The CIP shall balance the needs for improved
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 33
public facilities, as identified in HART’s Transit Asset Management plan, within the fiscal
capabilities and limitations of HART.
HART shall maintain its accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles (GAAP), applied to governmental units as promulgated by the Governmental
Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
HART shall provide funding for public services on a fair and equitable basis, and shall not
discriminate in providing such services on the base of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, or
physical handicap.
Budgets for all HART Divisions and all other HART expenses shall be under HART Board
appropriation control.
Preparation of HART’s budget shall be in such a format as to allow correlation with the costs
reported in HART’s annual financial statements.
BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
Basis of accounting refers to when revenues and expenditures or expenses are recognized in the
financial statements. Basis of accounting relates to the timing of the measurements made,
regardless of the measurement focus applied. HART uses accrual accounting for the Enterprise
Fund. Under this method, revenues are recognized when they are earned, and expenses are
recognized when they are incurred, regardless of when the related cash flows take place.
Property taxes are recognized as revenues in the year they are levied, and grants are recognized as
revenue as soon as all eligibility requirements imposed by the provider have been met, including
that the eligible expenses have been incurred.
BASIS OF BUDGETING
The preparation, approval, adoption and execution of HART’s budget comply with Florida Statute,
Chapter F.S. 189.016. Budgets for operating use the accrual basis of accounting, same as the basis
of accounting. Revenues are recognized in the period in which they are earned, and expenditures
are recognized in the period in which the liability is incurred.
The annual financial statements show the status of HART’s finances on the basis of generally
accepted accounting principles. Generally, this is the way the budget is prepared, with the
following exceptions:
The acquisition of capital assets is budgeted, and depreciation is not budgeted. The fiscal year
required pension contributions during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year are appropriated in the
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 34
budget, but are reported in the annual financial statements as deferred outflow of resources. The
accounting for HART’s proportionate share of the Florida Retirement System net pension liability
is not part of the budget. The accounting for other postemployment benefits is not part of the
budget.
Accordingly, the Net Position Available to Budget consists of cash and cash equivalents, accounts
receivable, and grants receivable, less accounts payable, and accrued expenses. compensated
absences, claims and judgements, and unearned revenue.
DEFINITION OF A BALANCED BUDGET
The Board of Directors of the Authority shall adopt a budget by resolution each fiscal year. The
total amount available from taxation and other sources, including balances brought forward from
prior fiscal years, must equal the total of appropriations for expenditures and reserves. At a
minimum, the proposed budget must show for each fund, as required by law and sound financial
practices, budget revenues and expenditures and organizational unit, which are at least at the level
of detail required by the annual financial report under F.S. 218.32 (1).
INTERNAL BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS/TRANSFER
Budget adjustments/transfers exist for very specific reasons. They should not be used to
balance a department's budget each month. Operating within one's available budgetary
resources is a managerial responsibility, and one which should be taken very seriously. The
approved budget is a financial plan (based on an operations and strategic plan) and can be
adjusted as circumstances change or by the Board of Directors directive; however, it should
be adhered to as closely as possible, and deviation needs to be approved at the Chief level.
When needs are less than originally anticipated or prices come in lower than budgeted, excess
funds should accrue as savings to HART. They should not be considered as available dollars
for additional expenditures. These accrued savings become cash forward (dropping to fund
balance) in the next year's budget as HART
has a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) directing
that a certain percentage of the prior year fund balance be added to the next year's fund balance
through cost savings to the organization.
Capital equipment items not approved in the budget can be purchased in one of three ways. First,
if the amount is less than $1,000, and if the requesting party has the funds available, then the item
can approve the purchase. Second, if the individual items or systems exceed $1,000 but do not
exceed $5,000, and if the requesting party has funds available, then the Chief Financial Officer or
designee can approve the purchase. Third, individual items or systems over $5,000 require HART
Board approval with justification of fund availability whether from within one's own budget or
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 35
requiring a transfer out of the appropriate reserve. See Section 930.20 (6) for further information
relating to reserves for contingencies.
FUND BALANCE & RESERVES POLICY
Fund Balance is defined as resources remaining from prior years which are available to be
budgeted in the current or future year(s) and calculated at the end of each fiscal year.
HART has developed a key performance indicator directing that a certain percentage of the prior
year fund balance be added to the next year's fund balance through cost savings to the organization
to ensure a sound fund balance.
Various bond rating agencies, particularly Fitch Ratings, recognizes that the best reserve policies
provide both specificity and flexibility, accomplishing one or more of at least three main criteria:
establishing a target level of reserves, or a reserve floor; specifying the appropriate circumstances
for drawing down reserves; and directing the replenishment of reserves.
HART's Fund Balance & Reserves Policy acts to mitigate other forms of uncertainty such as
changes in the tax and spending policies of federal and state government; imposition of mandates
by federal and state government or the courts; financial impacts of labor agreements, particularly
those stemming from collective bargaining; repairs and replacement of aging infrastructure; and
unforeseen increases in energy and fuel costs.
HART will calculate the reserve amount at the conclusion of each fiscal year and report such
amounts to the Board following the issuance of the prior year's Annual Comprehensive Financial
Report; and when appropriate, strive to calculate the reserve amount to meet the high end of any
set range.
FUND BALANCE RESERVE DESIGNATIONS
Reserve policies are an important factor in maintaining HART in good fiscal health and to
attain fiscal sustainability. HART employs the following primary types of reserves:
SELF-INSURANCE RESERVES
RISK RESERVE
- HART shall maintain an overall reserve equal to the 75 percent of
discounted confidence level of the annual actuarial study to ensure financial viability. HART's
Finance Department will book the discounted expected reserve level from the actuarial report
as a liability. In addition, should a claim be made against HART that is identified subsequent
to the actuarial report and prior to the issuance of HART's Annual Comprehensive Financial
Report that is financially material to the fund and highly likely to succeed, additional reserves
will be established to provide adequate funds in reserve.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 36
MEDICAL BENEFIT RESERVE
- HART will maintain a reserve in accordance with the
annual actuarial certification requirement to ensure financial viability. HART will procure
an actuarial study annually and will take a conservative approach when establishing the
number of reserves required. HART's Finance Department will book the net claim liability
per the actuarial study. In addition, HART will maintain the required reserve of 20 percent of
projected claims.
CAPITAL MATCHING RESERVE
- HART shall endeavor to maintain a reserve to be
used for aging, outdated or inoperable operational capital infrastructure replacement,
including Information Technology hardware/software. In addition, this reserve serves as a
means to fund required capital program grant match requirements.
FUND BALANCE RESERVE
- HART will maintain, at a minimum, a reserve of ninety
days of operating expenditures to be used to ensure the maintenance of services to the public
during non-routine and unforeseen disaster situations such as hurricanes and other weather-
related events as well as other natural or man-made disasters that cause disruptions in public
services as declared appropriate by the HART Board of Directors. Also, this reserve of ninety days
of operating expenditures is also to be used to: (1) mitigate any delays, reductions or lower
recalculations in the Federal Transit Administration's Section 5307 Formula Funding that would
affect HART's ability to maintain positive cash flow for operations; (2) used for unanticipated
expenditures of a nonrecurring nature; and (3) to meet unexpected immediate increases in service
delivery costs.
FTA LIABILITY RESERVE HART has established a reserve for potential liability to the FTA
for early disposition of grant-funded assets.
UNDESIGNATED FUND BALANCE
- Remaining fund balance subsequent to the above
designations shall be considered "cash in the bank" and can be used with the discretion of the
Board and/or Chief Executive Officer for authorized use.
ACFR REPORTING
- Both reserve designations and undesignated balances will be reported
as unrestricted net position on the Annual Comprehensive Finance Report (ACFR). Amounts
that can be spent only for specific purposes stipulated by external parties or imposed by law
through enabling legislation would be reported as restricted net assets.
FISCAL POLICIES FOR INVESTMENTS AND DEBT
Investments - The HART investment policy is to invest in public funds in a manner which will
maximize safety, while still meeting the daily cash flow demand and earning a fair yield relative
to the risk assumed. The investment policy conforms to all states statutes and local ordinances
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 37
governing the investment of public funds. The objectives are safety of principal, liquidity to meet
all operating requirements, which can be anticipated, and yield. This policy is required to be
reviewed annually by the Board of Directors to consider changing economic, market and
regulatory environments.
Debt - Currently HART has no debt issued. However, the HART debt policy is designed to guide
the process to determine when and for which purpose incurring debt is a prudent financial strategy.
In addition, it provides guidance for issuing, managing, and accounting for any debt prudently
issued in the future. This policy is required to be revised annually by the Board of Directors to
consider changing economic and regulatory environments.
FISCAL POLICY FOR ANNUAL OPERATING REVENUE
Revenue - Revenue projections will be based on an analysis of historical trends and reasonable
assumptions of future conditions.
Revenue estimates will be made on a reasonably conservative basis to ensure that estimates are
realized. The operating budget will be prepared based on 95% of the certified taxable value of the
property tax roll. HART will not use long-term debt to finance expenses required for operations.
The operating budget will be balanced using current year’s revenues to finance current year’s
expenses. Net position reserves shall not normally be budgeted as a resource to support routine
annual operating expenses. Net position reserves may be budgeted as a resource to support capital,
debt, or extraordinary major maintenance needs on a non-recurring basis, or as reserves to be
carried forward.
As early as it is practical in each annual budgeting cycle, the HART Board shall give direction to
administration as to the circumstances under which an ad valorem tax millage increase would be
considered. Normally, such direction should be given in February of each year in conjunction with
the setting of a tentative budget calendar.
Fees should be collected on all HART provided services for which specific users may be readily
identified and use may be reasonably quantified. The amount of the fee should be based on actual
costs incurred in providing the services (or facility), and shall be reviewed at least annually. The
degree to which fees shall recover full costs shall be a policy determination of the board, but in no
instance should it exceed that total cost.
Requirements - Normal maintenance requirements necessary to sustain the basic asset value will
be included in the budget of the proper operating fund. Contractual obligations and compensation
plan for employees will be provided. As early as practical in the budget process, the HART Board
shall discuss with Administration, HART staffing for both current and planned years.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 38
Capital will be provided for major improvements and automation of services based on multiple-
year planning and appropriate cost benefit analysis. Each year, as early as practical, the HART
Board shall discuss specific capital replacement requirements and policies for the upcoming year.
Future capital improvement requirements and replacement will be included in operating plans
requiring such reserves as may be necessary. The annual amount set aside to provide reserves for
future capital requirements should be consistent with individual fund needs. Along with all other
required budget material submitted by Division Chiefs and Directors in March and April of each
year, the Manager of Risk Management shall prepare an estimate of amounts to be budgeted for
workers’ compensation, self-insurance, and other related claims.
Net Position - The net position will be maintained by using a conservative approach in estimating
revenues and by ensuring that expenditure does not exceed appropriations. Any anticipated deficit
at year-end will be provided for in the current year’s transfers from net position.
BUDGET PROCESS AND CALENDAR
The budget process for special districts in Florida is statutorily driven as outlined in the Florida
Statutes Chapter F.S. 189.016.
Every employee of HART has a role in preparing the budget. The budget needs to be formulated,
prepared, implemented, and evaluated. Each Chief and Director is accountable to the Chief
Executive Officer for the performance of their respective personnel and whether or not their
division meets their objectives within the allocated resources. HART uses an annual budget format
in which the first year establishes the appropriate budget and is used for financial planning to assist
with projecting a multi-year budget strategy. Enabling strategic as well as tactical thinking, the
format provides for improved decision making with a longer-term focus on goal achievement and
infrastructure maintenance.
The budget relies on the identification of essential transportation needs of Hillsborough County
residents, and budget and financial priorities including the identification and ranking of critical
transit services.
The following outlines the various stages of budget development and administration and identifies
the roles and responsibilities of the key participants in the process:
The Planning Phase
Budget development begins in February each year when plans are set forth for next year’s budget
process. The Budget Department reviews areas of continuous improvement from the previous
year’s process. Objectives for the next year’s process are designed, and plans are made to
overcome any prior challenges. In addition, instructions and examples are reviewed, training
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 39
classes are arranged, and the budget calendar dates are set. At the beginning of April, the tentative
calendar is distributed to all divisions along with a reminder of the dates for the budget process.
The Preparation Phase
The budget kick-off sets the pace for the preparation of the budget. Information is provided on the
financial status of HART, economic growth, and issues that need to be addressed during future
budget work sessions. Divisions are directed to return a status quo program budget and requests
for service improvements (if any) for consideration.
The staff of the Budget Department reviews the submitted requests with each of the divisions and
their respective departments; changes to the requests are made at this time. Once all changes have
been completed, the Chief Executive Officer reviews the final product. After the review, work
sessions are scheduled with the divisions, Budget Department staff, and the Chief Executive
Officer for any final changes. These reviews begin in April and continue until the proposed budget
is submitted to the HART Board. A proposed balanced budget is presented to the HART Board at
a regularly scheduled Board meeting in June.
Leading up to the Board presentation in June, specific budget topics are presented and discussed
each month starting in March. Topics include key budget assumptions, the capital improvement
program, personnel assumptions, service adjustments, and other key topics as needed.
By July 1 of each year, HART is required to submit the approved proposed budget to the governing
legislative bodies of Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa, and the City of Temple Terrace.
The Review and Adoption Phase
During the review phase the budget is a proposed budget. This allows HART Board and Planning
Committee to have work sessions, held in a public setting, in July and August. In these sessions,
the HART Board reviews budget issues and recommends funding of said issues.
During this period, the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes, otherwise known as TRIM (Truth in
Millage) notices, are prepared and mailed by the Property Appraiser. Published on the TRIM
notice is the date of the first public hearing to adopt the tentative millage rate and the tentative
budget.
The purpose of the public hearing is to give the public an opportunity to speak for or against the
proposed millage rate and budget. At the end of the first public hearing, a date and time is
announced for the final public hearing. An advertisement for the hearing is placed in local
newspapers. This ad contains summary budget information along with the tentative millage rate
and the tentative approved budget based on the first hearing. Also noted are the time, date and
location for the final hearing.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 40
The purpose of the final public hearing is to give the public a second opportunity to speak for or
against the millage rate and budget. At this meeting, the HART Board adopts the final millage rate
and budget. Within the next three days the Property Appraiser, Tax Collector and State Department
of Revenue must be notified of the adopted millage rate. The Tax Collector mails
Hillsborough Transit Authority final tax invoices to property owners at the beginning of
November.
Amendments after Adoption
As provided in Florida Statute, F.S. 189.016, once the budget is adopted it may be amended by the
HART Board at any time within a fiscal year and 60 days following, in the following manner:
Appropriations for expenses in the fund may be decreased and other appropriations in the same
fund correspondingly increased, if the total of the appropriations of the fund are not changed.
Appropriations from the Reserve for contingencies may be made to increase the appropriation for
any particular expense in the same fund, or to create an appropriation in the fund for any lawful
purpose, but expenses may not be charged directly to the reserve.
Revenue of a nature or source not anticipated in the budget and received for a specific purpose
such as grants, donations, gifts, or reimbursement for damages may, by resolution of the Board,
be appropriated and expended for that purpose.
Increased revenue received for a particular purpose may, by resolution of the Board, be
appropriated and expended for that purpose. Any amendment to the budget not specified above
may be authorized by resolution of the Board following a public hearing.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 41
900: FINANCIAL AND BUDGETING POLICIES AND PROCESSES
910: FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY
910.10 FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY
(1) Definition
Fiscal sustainability is achieved when service and infrastructure levels and standards are
delivered according to a long-range plan without the need to reduce services, delay construction,
or increase rates on an emergency or unplanned basis. It emphasizes long-range financial planning
that shifts the attention to strategic goals of the agency and away from a one-year budget
perspective. Continuing revenue sources will be used to support continuing operating needs, and
one-time or highly volatile revenue sources will support specific non-recurring projects.
(2) HART’s Plan for Fiscal Sustainability
HART is committed to developing and following financial policies that will allow it to
achieve its strategic goals and support its Transit Development Plan (TDP). In order to achieve
these goals and fulfill its commitment to its Charter members, HART relies on just a few major
sources of continuing revenue to support its ongoing operations and capital programs which
include property taxes, fare revenues and grants.
In order to achieve fiscal sustainability, HART is emphasizing long-range planning to
position itself to maintain current service levels, addition of new service and routes, and to sustain
its capital improvement program.
To ensure HART’s financial sustainability, the following financial principles are
incorporated into the annual budget.
(a) HART will develop budgets that are transparent and clearly specify all sources of revenue
and related uses.
(b) HART will lay out a five-year strategic plan for operations, capital and revenue, that
discloses major assumptions regarding financial trends.
(c) Continuing operations will be supported by continuing revenue. Any increases in operating
and ongoing expenses will be limited to the amount of increases in continuing revenue;
one-time revenue sources will be directed to special needs only.
(d) Capital proposals will be evaluated to determine that HART has the resources to operate
and maintain the related projects for the long term.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 42
920: GENERAL FISCAL POLICIES
920.10 GENERAL POLICY ON BUDGETING
(1) Pursuant to HART Charter, the operating budget authorizing expenditure of HART funds
will be adopted annually by the Board of Directors and presented in a multi-year format to
include long-term planning and will be considered statutory spending authorization.
(2) HART Finance Department shall estimate 95 percent of all ad valorem receipts reasonably
anticipated pursuant to §F.S. 129.01(2)(b).
(3) Non-recurring items are funded from non-recurring sources, usually fund balance and/or
grants, when approved by the Board of Directors, and recurring budget items are funded
from recurring sources.
(4) The annual operating budget of HART shall balance the public transit needs of the
community with the fiscal capabilities and resources available to HART, with the intent to
achieve the goals and objectives established by the HART Board for the following fiscal
year and pursuant to the Transit Development Plan (TDP).
(5) HART recognizes that its citizens deserve a commitment from HART for fiscal
responsibility, and that a balanced operating budget is the cornerstone of that responsibility.
Annual operating expenses will be fiscally balanced with revenues or income estimates
that can reasonably and normally be planned to be received during the fiscal year. New
programs or changes in policies which would require the expenses of additional operating
funds will either be funded through reductions in existing programs of lower priority or
through adjustments to fees, service charges, or taxes. Requests for new, or changes to
programs or policies will be accompanied by an analysis of the short-and long-term impact
on the operating budget caused by the recommended changes.
(6) New programs, services, and facilities shall be based on general citizen demand or need
and/or Board direction and amended to the TDP.
(7) HART shall prepare and implement a Capital Improvement Budget which shall schedule
the funding and construction of projects for a five-year period. The CIP Program shall
balance the needs for improved public facilities as identified in the HART TDP.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 43
(8) HART shall provide funding for public services on a fair and equitable basis, and shall not
discriminate in providing such services on the base of race, sex, color, religion, national
origin, or physical limitation.
(9) Budgets for all HART departments and all other HART expenses shall be under HART
Board appropriation control.
(10) Preparation of HART budget shall be in such a format as to allow correlation with the costs
reported in HART Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and prepared in
anticipation of submission to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for
evaluation and review.
920.20 BASIS OF BUDGETING AND ACCOUNTING
(1) The preparation, approval, adoption, and execution of HART budget are in compliance
with Florida Statute (Chapter 189) and is comprised of an operating and capital component
with appropriations adopted for the current fiscal year only. However, a five-year financial
plan is prepared for strategic planning purposes.
(2) HART is an Enterprise Type Activity, as defined by Governmental Accounting Standards
Board (GASB) Statement No. 34, Basic Financial Statements Management's Discussion
& Analysis for State and Local Governments and its financial statements are presented
on the accrual basis of accounting. Under this method, revenues are recognized when they
are earned, and expenses are recognized when they are incurred. Grants are recognized as
revenue as soon as all eligibility requirements imposed by the grantor have been met.
(3) Enterprise funds distinguish operating revenues and expenses from non-operating items.
Operating revenues and expenses generally result from providing services in connection
with the fund's principal on-going operational activities. Charges to customers represent
HART's principal operating revenues and include passenger fares and revenues from use
of its non-capital assets for advertising, right-of-way activities, etc. Operating expenses
include the cost of operating, maintaining, and supporting transit services, administrative
expenses, and depreciation. All revenues and expenses not meeting this definition are
reported as non-operating or “other” revenues and expenses.
(4) The ACFR shows the status of HART finances on the basis of GAAP. In most cases, this
conforms to the way HART prepares its budget. One exception is the treatment of unpaid
vacation and sick leave accumulated by employees. The entire unpaid liability for vacation
and sick leave is recorded in the Statement of Net Position in the ACFR, whereas the
current liability of employees is budgeted as an appropriation in the year when it is
expected to be expensed.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 44
(5) Specific accounting and reporting practices:
(a) Maintain accounting and reporting practices in conformance with the Uniform
Accounting System of the State of Florida and GAAP;
(b) Maintain accounting system records on a basis consistent with the accepted standards
for local government accounting according to Governmental Accounting and Financial
Reporting (GAFR), and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB);
920.20 BASIS OF BUDGETING AND ACCOUNTING (cont’d)
(c) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP, as applicable to
governmental units, requires management to make use of estimates or accruals that
affect the reported amounts in the financial statements. Actual results could (and most
likely, will) differ from estimates;
(d) Provide regular monthly financial statements to the HART Board of Directors and the
public that include all expenditures and revenues;
(e) Pursuant to HART’s Charter, ensure that an annual financial and compliance audit of
HART’s financial records is conducted by an independent firm of Certified Public
Accountants whose findings and opinions are published and available for public
review;
(f) Maintain a continuing program of internal audits; and
(g) Annually seek the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting and the GFOA Annual Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
920.30 BUDGET PROCESS AND CALENDAR
(1) Overview of Budget Development
(a) Each year, the Chief Executive Officer sets forth the procedures and guidelines to be
followed by departments in developing budget requests for the following fiscal year.
Departmental budget requests will be reviewed, analyzed and aggregated into budget
recommendations that will reflect the strategic objectives and policies of the HART
Board. Budgets will be established and expended to reflect as accurately as possible
all costs related to activities of each program, department or cost center. The proposed
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 45
(b) balanced budget will be presented to the HART Board and adopted in accordance with
Florida law.
(c) With adoption of the budget, the HART Board is approving a broad policy plan as well
as the estimated funding needs at the program, department and organizational level and
providing statutory authorization for the expenditure of HART public funds. Line
items and cost centers are subsets of the overall budget established for control and
tracking purposes, and are not mandates to fully expend funds appropriated, nor are
they unchangeable limits.
(d) Budget control will be exercised at the cost center level. Budget line items may show
negative balances, but total budgets of cost centers may not be exceeded. Budget
performance will be evaluated based on budget and actual amounts monthly, quarterly
and at fiscal year-end.
(2) Amendments after Adoption
As provided in Florida Statute 189.418, once the budget is adopted it may be amended within the
current fiscal year in the following manner:
(a) Requests for appropriation of funds not previously budgeted will be processed as
budget amendments as required by Florida statutes, Chapter 129.06(2) (d) and (e) and
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 46
(b) Chapter 189.418. All budget amendments that increase the annual appropriations
require the approval of the HART Board and authorized by Resolution following a duly
advertised public hearing.
(c) Individual appropriations for expenses may be decreased and/or increased, provided
that the total of the appropriations are not changed.
(d) Appropriations from the undesignated fund balance may be made to increase the
appropriation for any particular expense, or to create an appropriation for any lawful
purpose with Board approval, but expenses may not be charged directly to the Reserve
for Contingencies without Board approval.
(e) Revenue of a nature or source not anticipated in the budget and received for a specific
purpose such as grants, donations, gifts, or reimbursement for damages may, by
resolution of the Board, be appropriated and expended as designated by the Board or
held in fund balance.
(3) Internal Budget Adjustments/Transfers
(a) Budget adjustments/transfers exist for very specific reasons. They should not be used
to balance a department’s budget each month. Operating within one’s available
budgetary resources is a managerial responsibility, and one which should be taken very
seriously. The approved budget is a financial plan (based on an operations and strategic
plan) and can be adjusted as circumstances change or by the Board of Directors
directive; however, it should be adhered to as closely as possible, and deviations need
to be approved at the Chief level.
(b) When needs are less than originally anticipated or prices come in lower than budgeted,
excess funds should accrue as savings to HART. They should not be considered as
available dollars for additional expenditures. These accrued savings become cash
forward (dropping to fund balance) in the next year’s budget as HART has a Key
Performance Indicator (KPI) directing that a certain percentage of the prior year fund
balance be added to the next year’s fund balance through cost savings to the
organization.
(c) Capital equipment items not approved in the budget can be purchased in one of three
ways. First, if the amount is less than $1,000, and if the requesting party has the funds
available, then Finance can approve the purchase. Second, if the individual items or
systems exceed $1,000 but do not exceed $5,000, and if the requesting party has funds
available, then the Chief Financial Officer or designee can approve the purchase.
Third, individual items or systems over $5,000 require HART Board approval with
justification of fund availability whether from within one’s own budget or requiring a
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 47
(d) transfer out of the appropriate reserve. See Section 930.20 (6) for further information
relating to reserves for contingencies.
930: ANNUAL OPERATING REVENUES AND EXPENSES
930.10 REVENUE GUIDELINES
(1) Revenue projections will be based on an analysis of historical trends, reasonable
assumptions of future conditions, state economic and revenue predictions, and will be made
on a reasonable, conservative basis. Revenue estimates will be made for the entire 5-year
strategic financial plan to ensure HART’s fiscal sustainability.
(2) Pursuant to state law, ad valorem revenue projections for the operating budget will be
budgeted at 95 percent of the certified taxable value of the property tax roll.
(3) HART will not use short- or long-term debt to finance expenses required for operations.
(4) The operating budget will be balanced using current year’s revenues to finance current
year’s expenses. Fund balance shall not normally be budgeted as a resource to support
routine annual operating expenses unless authorized by the Board through the budgetary
process. Fund balance may be budgeted on a non-recurring basis as a resource to support
capital, debt (if any), or extraordinary major maintenance needs or as reserves to be carried
forward, pursuant again, to the Board approval.
(5) As early as practical in each annual budgeting cycle, the HART Board shall give direction
to Administration as to the circumstances under which a change to the ad valorem tax
millage would be considered. Normally, such direction would be given in January of each
year in conjunction with the setting of a tentative budget calendar.
(6) Fees should be collected on all HART-provided services for which specific users may be
readily identified and use may be reasonably quantified. The amount of the fee should be
based on actual costs incurred in providing the services (or facility), and shall be reviewed
at least biannually. The degree to which fees shall recover full costs shall be a policy
determination of the Board, but in no instance should it exceed the total cost of service
provision.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 48
930.20 EXPENSE GUIDELINES
(1) As early as practical in the budget process, the CEO and Executive Team shall discuss
staffing for both current and planned years.
(2) Contractual obligations and compensation plans for employees will be provided. Along
with all other required budget material submitted by division and department directors in
March and April of each year, the Risk and Human Resource Manager shall prepare an
estimate of amounts to be budgeted for workers’ compensation, self-insurance for liability
and healthcare and other related claims.
(3) Normal maintenance requirements necessary to sustain the basic asset value will be
included in the budget of the proper operating fund.
(4) Future capital improvement requirements and replacements will be included in operating
plans requiring such reserves as may be necessary. The annual amount set aside to provide
reserves for future capital requirements should be consistent with individual departmental
needs.
(5) Capital funding will be provided for major improvements and automation of services based
on multiple-year planning, the adopted TDP and appropriate cost benefit analysis. Each
year, as early as practical, the Executive Team shall discuss specific capital replacement
requirements and policies for the upcoming year.
(6) An amount equal to two percent of the budgeted expenditures for the next fiscal year shall
be budgeted as a reserve for contingency. Statutorily, ten percent maximum is allowed.
930.30 DEBT MANAGEMENT/DEBT POLICY
(1) Policy Statement
Currently, HART has no short, mid, or long-term debt obligations. However, HART Charter
does provide for the issuance of bonds and, with the approval of each Charter member, may issue
bonds to carry out its authorized powers or purposes. If debt is chosen as a form of funding for
future HART projects, the following categories of debt will be considered:
(a) Long-Term Debt
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 49
Long-term borrowing (10+ years) will not be used to finance current operations, planned
operations, or routine maintenance.
(b) Medium-Term Debt
Lease purchase methods, bonds, or other debt instruments may be used as a medium-term
(5 to 10 years) method of borrowing for the financing of vehicles, other specialized types
of equipment, or other capital improvements. The equipment or improvement must have
an expected life at least equal to the years leased or financed. HART will determine and
utilize the least costly financing methods available. Such debt arrangements will be repaid
within the expected life of the equipment or improvement acquired.
(c) Short-Term Debt
Short-term borrowing (less than 5 years) may be utilized for temporary funding of
anticipated tax revenues, anticipated grant payments, or grant-related expenses waiting
reimbursement, anticipated bond proceeds, or other expected revenues. Short-term debt,
such as tax-exempt commercial paper, bond anticipation notes, tax anticipation notes, or
grant anticipation notes includes borrowing from HART’s own Fund Balance. HART will
determine and utilize the least costly method for short-term borrowing, when needed.
940: CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) & POLICY
940.10 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) & POLICY
(1) Policy Statement
The CIP budget contains 5 years of funding of planned capital projects. The first year of
the CIP budget reflects funding for the improvements identified therein and is contained in that
year’s budget. The remaining four years of the CIP budget lists the capital projects identified for
implementation and their estimated costs in those subsequent years. Each year, the list of projects
is reviewed for need, cost and priority and aligned to the TDP.
New projects may be added, and other projects deleted, based on organizational planning
and need. Vehicles or equipment are included in the CIP when they have an expected life of five
(5) years or more, and a cost of $1,000 or greater. Generally, capital improvements are defined as
physical assets, constructed or purchased, that have a useful life of five years or longer and a cost
of $1,000 or more.
(2) Carry-Over
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 50
During the previous fiscal year, there may be certain capital improvement projects that
either were not completed or started during the year; however, HART intends to complete these
projects and expend the funds in the next fiscal year. Therefore, the items are treated as a “carry-
over” meaning that the project and unused funds are being carried forward from the previous fiscal
year to the new fiscal year capital improvement budget.
(3) Funding of Capital Improvements Expenditures
CIP expenditures are funded from several funding sources capital grants, general
operating funds, impact fees, and other capital contributions as indicated in the revenue section of
the CIP Budget.
Each year, the 5-year CIP shall be updated as part of the annual HART budget. Such review
and revision of the CIP shall be consistent with the HART established strategic goals and
objectives, as well as reflecting the intent of the TDP. Specifically:
(a) Recommended capital improvements and projects shall be deemed consistent with the
CIP, as to general location, scale and type of facility, although it need not be consistent
in revenue sources or manner of operation;
(b) Amounts shown in the CIP as estimated project costs are estimates and not intended to
serve as precise project budgets. A precise project budget will be established for a
project upon completion of engineering and architectural plans and specifications
(upon which the project cost will be estimated);
(c) Any project included in the program may be financed by any available revenue, as
allowable by law.
(d) Anticipated operating expenses associated with supporting, operating and/or
maintaining the resulting capital asset must be included in the out-year strategic
budgeting process and be included in initial project cost estimates.
950: BANKING AND INVESTMENTS
950.10 BANKING
(1) Responsibility
(a) Responsibility for the administration of HART’s banking function is vested in the Office
of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The CFO and the Finance Department will establish
proper internal controls to ensure sound financial management practices are implemented
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 51
(b) and checks and balances exist among several employees. The CFO will identify a primary
relationship manager who will serve as a central point of contact with banking entities.
(c) The HART Board Finance, Governance and Administration Committee is charged with
reviewing solicitations for banking entities.
(d) Authorized signers on HART bank accounts will be as follows:
Chief Executive Officer
Chairman, Board of Directors
Vice-Chairman, Board of Directors
Secretary, Board of Directors
(e) The CFO is authorized to establish and maintain bank accounts for employee funds where
the funds contained within the account are contributed by the employees and are solely for
employee activities (e.g. recreation fund). These types of accounts will be controlled by
the CFO or his designee but may allow specific employees to provide signatory
authorization.
(2) Banking Objectives
The following objectives will be applied in the selection and management of HART’s bank
accounts.
(a) Periodically initiate a process of competitive procurement in accordance with state and
local laws and regulations for major banking services. The process should use a request
for proposals (RFP) that should include services, fees, earnings credit rates, and availability
schedules for deposited funds. In addition, it is important to utilize independent bank
evaluation services to verify creditworthiness of the financial institution prior to award of
a contract and throughout the contract period.
(b) Contracts for banking services will specify services, fees, and other components of
compensation.
(c) Evaluation for selection of a banking partner will look at the relative benefits and costs of
paying for services through direct fees, compensating balances, or a combination of the
two (blended). Factors to consider in this evaluation are the earnings credit rate, reserve
requirements and insurance fees on deposits. Also, the banks’ ability to provide such items
as: on-line electronic balance and reconciliation services; ZBA bank account handling;
treasury management; cash vault services; stop payments; electronically transmitted
analysis and statements; positive pay fraud prevention; ACH payments; merchant services
(credit card handling), and procurement cards will be evaluated.
950.20 INVESTMENTS
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 52
(1) Scope
The HART Board of Directors, through the Chief Executive Officer or his designee, has the
authority for investing HART public funds.
(2) Investment Objectives
The following investment objectives will be applied in the management of HART funds.
(a) Safety of CapitalSafety of publicly funded capital is regarded as the highest priority
in the handling of investments for HART, with all other investment objectives
secondary. Each investment decision shall seek to first ensure that capital losses are
avoided, whether they are from defaults or erosion of market value.
(b) Liquidity HART’s investment strategy will provide sufficient liquidity as not to
inhibit cash flow requirements.
(c) YieldWhen investing public funds, HART will strive to maximize the return on the
portfolio but will avoid assuming unreasonable risk simply for the benefit of higher
yield.
(1) Current Investment Strategy and Program
HART currently maintains all “idle” cash used for investment in the State Board of Administration
(SBA), run by the State of Florida. The SBA manages Florida PRIME, a 2a-7-like pool, carried
at an amortized cost. A 2a-7-like pool is not registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) as an investment company, but has a policy that it operates in a manner
consistent with the SEC’s Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, which regulates
money market funds. Therefore, Florida PRIME operates essentially as a money market fund and
HART’s position in Florida PRIME is considered to be equivalent to its fair value.
Regulatory oversight of the SBA is provided by three state of Florida elected officials designated
as trustees: the Governor serves as Chairman of the SBA; the Chief Financial Officer serves as
Treasurer of the SBA; and the Attorney General serves as Secretary of the SBA. External oversight
of the State Board of Administration is provided by the Investment Advisory Council, which
reviews investment performance, strategy and decision-making, provides insight, advice and
counsel on these and other matters when appropriate. Audit oversight is also provided by the state
of Florida Audit General.
Due to HART’s reliance on reimbursable grants, access to liquidity and cash flow management
requirements dictate this investment policy (e.g. the utilization of the SBA) at the current time.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 53
Multiple or varied higher yield long-term investment instruments, although a goal, is neither
prudent nor achievable at this time. At such time, investment of surplus funds may be in the
following instruments:
(a) Negotiable direct obligations of, or obligations of which the principal and interest are
unconditionally guaranteed by the U.S. Government;
(b) Interest bearing time deposits or savings accounts in qualified public depositories as
defined in Section 280.02, Florida Statutes;
(c) Prime commercial paper with the highest credit quality rating from a nationally
recognized agency;
(d) Tax exempt obligations rated “A” or higher and issued by state and local governments;
(e) Money market mutual funds;
(f) Local government investment pools.
(4) Standards of Care – Investment in the State Board of Administration (SBA) adheres to
the following standards of care.
(a) Prudence and Ethical Standards The “prudent person” standard shall be used in
the management of the overall investment policy. The prudent person standard is
understood to mean: “Investments shall be made with judgment and care, under
circumstances then prevailing, which persons of prudence, discretion, and intelligence
exercise in the management of their own affairs, not for speculation, but for investment,
considering the probable safety of their capital as well as the probable income to be
derived.”
HART officers, or persons performing the investment function, acting as a “prudent
person” in accordance with this written policy and procedure, exercising due diligence
and investments authorized by law, shall be relieved of personal responsibility for an
individual security’s credit risk or market price changes, provided deviations from
expectations are reported in a timely fashion to the Chief Executive Officer and Board
of Directors, and appropriate action is taken to control adverse developments.
(b) Ethics and Conflicts of InterestThe Finance employees involved in the investment
process shall refrain from personal business activity that could conflict with the proper
execution and management of the investment program, or that could impair their ability
to make impartial decisions. The above-mentioned shall disclose any material interests
in financial institutions with which HART conducts business. They shall further
disclose any personal financial or investment positions that could be related to the
performance of HART’s investments.
(c) Continuing Education Those responsible for making investment decisions will
annually complete 8 hours of continuing education in subjects or courses of study
related to investment practices and products.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 54
(d) Periodic Reports Financial staff will periodically prepare reports for submission to
the Board, which will include market value of securities held and investment
performance results.
960: BUDGET RESERVES
960.10 FUND BALANCE & RESERVES POLICY
(1) Overview
(a) Fund Balance is defined as resources remaining from prior years which are available
to be budgeted in the current or future year(s) and calculated at the end of each fiscal
year.
(b) HART has developed a key performance indicator directing that a certain percentage
of the prior year fund balance be added to the next year’s fund balance through cost
savings to the organization to ensure a sound fund balance.
(c) Various bond rating agencies, particularly Fitch Ratings, recognizes that the best
reserve policies provide both specificity and flexibility, accomplishing one or more of
at least three main criteria: establishing a target level of reserves, or a reserve floor;
specifying the appropriate circumstances for drawing down reserves; and directing the
replenishment of reserves.
(d) HART’s Fund Balance & Reserves Policy acts to mitigate other forms of uncertainty
such as changes in the tax and spending policies of federal and state government;
imposition of mandates by federal and state government or the courts; financial impacts
of labor agreements, particularly those stemming from collective bargaining; repairs
and replacement of aging infrastructure; and unforeseen increases in energy and fuel
costs.
(e) HART will calculate the reserve amount at the conclusion of each fiscal year and report
such amounts to the Board following the issuance of the prior year’s Comprehensive
Annual Financial Report; and when appropriate, strive to calculate the reserve amount
to meet the high end of any set range.
(2) Fund Balance Reserve Designations
Reserve policies are an important factor in maintaining HART in good fiscal health and to
attain fiscal sustainability. HART employs the following primary types of reserves:
(a) Self-Insurance Reserves
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 55
1. Risk Reserve HART shall maintain an overall reserve equal to the 75 percent
discounted confidence level of the annual actuarial study to ensure financial
viability. HART’s Finance Department will book the discounted expected reserve
level from the actuarial report as a liability. In addition, should a claim be made
against HART that is identified subsequent to the actuarial report and prior to the
issuance of HART’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report that is financially
material to the fund and highly likely to succeed, additional reserves will be
established to provide adequate funds in reserve.
2. Medical Benefit Reserve HART will maintain a reserve in accordance with the
annual actuarial certification requirement to ensure financial viability. HART will
procure an actuarial study annually and will take a conservative approach when
establishing the amount of reserves required. HART’s Finance Department will
book the net claim liability per the actuarial study. In addition, HART will maintain
the required reserve of 20 percent of projected claims.
(b) Capital Matching Reserve HART shall endeavor to maintain a reserve to be used
for aging, outdated or inoperable operational capital infrastructure replacement,
including Information Technology hardware/software. In addition, this reserve serves
as a means to fund required capital program grant match requirements.
(c) Fund Balance Reserve HART will maintain, at a minimum, a reserve of ninety days
of operating expenditures to be used to ensure the maintenance of services to the public
during non-routine and unforeseen disaster situations such as hurricanes and other
weather-related events as well as other natural or man-made disasters that cause
disruptions in public services as declared appropriate by the HART Board of Directors.
Also, this reserve of ninety days of operating expenditures is also to be used to: (1)
mitigate any delays, reductions or lower recalculations in the Federal Transit
Administration’s Section 5307 Formula Funding that would affect HART’s ability to
maintain positive cash flow for operations; (2) used for unanticipated expenditures of
a nonrecurring nature; and (3) to meet unexpected immediate increases in service
delivery costs.
(d) Undesignated Fund Balance Remaining fund balance subsequent to the above
designations shall be considered “cash in the bank” and can be used with the discretion
of the Board and/or Chief Executive Officer for authorized use.
(d) ACFR ReportingBoth reserve designations and undesignated balances will
be reported as unrestricted net position on the ACFR. Amounts that can be
spent only
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 56
(e) for specific purposes stipulated by external parties or imposed by law through
enabling legislation would be reported as restricted net assets.
970: GIFTS TO EMPLOYEES
970.10 GIFT CARD POLICY
(1) Introduction
HART management and outside organizations will occasionally use gift cards or gift
certificates to compensate employees. As cash-equivalent instruments, these items are governed
by tax rules (Internal Revenue Code 132) and internal control requirements. These rules and
requirements must be followed and communicated to those involved before purchase or
distribution of any gifts. When gifts are distributed, they must be distributed in accordance with
the guidelines set forth in this policy.
This policy applies to all HART personnel and is limited to gift cards funded by HART or
where gifts will be provided to HART staff from an external source (e.g. vendor). The portions of
the policy related to tax reporting are also applicable to distributions of any gifts and awards of
non-cash tangible items with a fair market value greater than $25 if funded by HART.
(2) Definitions
(a) Gift Card means a stored-value or similar instrument issued in lieu of cash or
check. For purposes of this policy, “gift card” includes gift certificates and non-cash
tangible gifts.
(b) Non-Cash Tangible Gift means a product or service provided to an employee of a
value in excess of $25.
(c) Responsible Employee means the staff member in the department disbursing the
gift cards that is responsible for the documentation, internal control and other requirements
of this policy.
(3) Allowable Uses and Limits
(a) Gift cards may only be distributed as prizes, recognition awards or tokens of
appreciation to employees.
(b) Gift cards cannot be used as a bonus, honoraria, or other means of compensation to
employees. Such payments must be processed through the payroll system.
(4) Approvals
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 57
Prior to purchase, gift card usage must be approved by the responsible department director and the
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) by completing the Gift Card Request Form. Once approval
notification has been received from the CFO; the cards can be purchased using the method
described below. Included on the Gift Card Request Form is a Statement of Responsibility that
the Responsible Employee must sign to signify that he or she understands the additional
responsibilities associated with gift card stewardship and distribution.
(5) Approved Purchase Method
Departments can only purchase gift cards by going through HART’s Procurement Department.
This process centralizes gift card administration, facilitates tracking for purposes of compliance
with IRS tax regulations and eases the purchase process for departments.
Once the CFO has approved the Gift Card Request Form, the department can attach this form to
the electronic requisition completed through WorkPlace. The Procurement Department will
process the purchase request and ensure the vendor delivers the cards directly to the Finance
Division. The Finance Division’s inclusion in the delivery process will provide a “check and
balance” internal control.
Gift cards should be purchased no more than one month prior to disbursement. For a situation
where gift cards will be disbursed over a longer period of time, the gift cards should be purchased
in increments with each increment tracked on a separate Gift Card Log.
(6) Required Documentation
The Responsible Employee is required to maintain the following documentation:
Gift Card Request Form
This form is the official approval method, as noted above. The Form will be completed
by the department, approved by the CFO and given to the Procurement Department as
authorization for purchase along with a requisition form.
Gift Card Log
For IRS tax reporting purposes, the issuing department is required to complete the Gift
Card Log, which lists the parties receiving the gift cards and information required for IRS
tax reporting purposes. The Employee responsible will give the Gift Log to the Payroll
Department by the earliest of the following dates: a) ten (10) business days after all gift
cards have been distributed; or b) sixty (60) days after gift cards were purchased. In
addition to the above, taxable gifts must be processed through Payroll during the calendar
year it was provided to the employee.
(7) Internal Controls
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 58
The Employee responsible has primary responsibility for safekeeping, maintenance and proper
usage of the gift cards and for advising staff or management who handle the cards that they must
follow this policy. Gift cards must be safeguarded at all times and accounted for as if they were
cash. The following controls are required at a minimum:
(a) Custody
The Employee responsible holds custody over the cards and should always know where
they are. Custody may be transferred temporarily from the Responsible Employee to other
departmental personnel for disbursement purposes, but the Responsible Employee still
holds primary responsibility for the safekeeping of the cards. The Finance Division will
record the serial numbers of the gift cards held in inventory and distributed to departments
for purposes of tracking custody of each card.
(b) Physical Access
Gift cards must be secured at all times (e.g. in a locked box in a locked cabinet or drawer)
with limited access. The Finance Division is responsible for safeguarding any gift card
related tax documentation and must keep these records secured with limited access at all
times. The Finance Division will keep its inventory in the safe.
(c) Tracking
Gift card disbursements must be documented on the Gift Card Log, designed to uniquely
identify each payment in order to document the use of the card for audit and tax purposes.
Because of IRS requirements, a recipient cannot receive the gift card if he or she refuses to
provide the requested information. If the Employee responsible disburses the card without
obtaining this information, he or she may be subject to disciplinary action. Due to the
nature of the data collected on the Gift Card Log, please treat the Log as confidential
information. As noted on the Gift Card Log, information to be included for each card shall
include at a minimum:
Purpose of the payment
Recipient name
Employee Number
Gift Value
Partial serial number of the gift card
Date of Disbursement
Signature of the recipient, confirming receipt
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 59
(d) Inventory
Departments holding more than one gift card must perform a physical inventory at least on
a weekly basis, with the results reconciled to the current Gift Card Log. The inventory
should be performed by someone other than the Responsible Employee but in the presence
of the Responsible Employee. Any discrepancies must be reported immediately to the
CFO.
The Finance Division will inventory all centrally held gift cards at least weekly.
(8) Tax Reporting
In addition to annual W-2 reporting for all payments to employees in a given year, IRS regulations
require reporting of any non-employee who receives a total value of $600 or more from HART in
a calendar year. Because of these requirements, HART requires that a complete Gift Card Log be
maintained for all recipients of gift cards or reportable non-cash tangible gifts.
The IRS considers gift cards to be tax reportable as compensation when issued or awarded to the
recipient, regardless of value. Gifts to employees paid by HART funds (source of funding makes
no difference) must be taxed as ordinary income to the employee. Gifts, rewards, and gestures of
appreciation cannot be provided to employees as disguised compensation. The value of the gift
cards (or reportable non-cash tangible gifts) will be included on an employee’s annual W-2 in
taxable income. The employee’s earnings will be reduced by FICA and Medicare taxes, as
applicable, at the next pay period after the gift earnings are applied.
It is the Responsible Employee’s duty to make the employee aware of the tax implications of the
gift.
(9) Lost Cards
The Responsible Employee will be held responsible for any gift cards in their possession that are
lost or misplaced. Any shortage must be reported immediately to the CFO.
The CFO, in conjunction with the Safety & Security Department, may investigate the
circumstances surrounding the loss. If the investigation findings demonstrate the Responsible
Employee did not use adequate internal controls, as defined by this policy, he or she cannot be the
Responsible Employee for any future gift card disbursements and may be subject to disciplinary
action.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 60
HART has no responsibility or liability for the gift card(s) once they have been presented to an
employee.
970.20 PURCHASING CARD POLICY
(1) Policy
The Finance Department will establish a Purchasing Card (P-Card) program with the authority to
ensure that the purchasing of goods and services with a P-Card is accomplished as defined within
this document.
Selected staff will be authorized to use the P-Card for one or several of the categories listed below:
(a) Travel-related expenses in compliance with HART’s Travel Policy & Procedures;
(b) Micro-purchases at the departmental level in compliance with HART Procurement Policy
and Procedures; and/or
(c) Purchases by the Procurement Department in compliance with HART Procurement Policy
and Procedures.
The Department Chief/Head and the Procurement Manager will review purchases to insure
HART’s policies and procedures are followed.
(2) Introduction
The P-Card program is designed to improve efficiency in processing and payment of purchases.
This program will allow the Cardholder to purchase approved commodities directly from
merchants. Each P-Card is issued to a named individual, and HART is clearly shown on the card
as the governmental buyer of goods or services.
Participating in the P-Card program is a privilege. The success of HART’s P-Card program relies
on the cooperation and professionalism of all personnel associated with this initiative. It is
expected that the training program and procedures will assist in making this program a success.
All existing cardholders will receive training at the implementation of this document, while new
Cardholders will complete a training class before being issued a P-Card.
The procedures provided herein are minimum standards for departments. Departments may
establish additional controls, if necessary, but cannot alter the authorized procedures herein.
(3) Benefits
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 61
HART benefits:
Simplify the purchasing process for the large number of low dollar purchases, freeing up
time for large dollar purchases
Expand the list of merchants from whom purchases can be made
Lower the overall transaction processing cost per purchase
Reduce the time spent by Accounts Payable processing transaction payments
Merchant benefits
Expedited payment
Reduced paperwork
Lower risk of non-payment
(4) Limitations, Prohibited Uses & Unacceptable Actions
(a) Limitations
A purchase may consist of multiple items, but the invoice total must not exceed the
cardholder’s authorized limit.
Payment for purchases will not be split to stay within the single purchase limit.
All extra charges such as freight, handling, and set up are to be considered before
making a P-Card transaction. Such charges are part of the initial transaction and
considered within those dollar limits.
IT and/or computer purchases by departments other than IT will be limited to under
$250. Any departmental requests above $250 will be purchased by the IT Manager
or his/her designee. Procurement is not limited by this $250 provision.
The maximum purchase limit will be under $3,000 in order to comply with HART’s
Purchasing Policy and Procedures. Items over $3,000 require three quotes and will
be performed by the Procurement Department.
(b) Prohibited Uses
The following types of items and/or transactions may not be purchased with a P-
Card, no matter the dollar amount:
Cash advances.
Inventory items.
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
Food or meals not required for official HART business (See Travel and/or
Meal/Refreshment Expenses).
Consultant’s fees.
Gas, fuel, or oil for staff vehicles.
Repairs to HART vehicles unless prior approval is obtained from Fleet
Maintenance (Procurement excluded).
Purchasing items not authorized by or specifically restricted by their supervisor.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 62
Charging to budget accounts when funds are not available.
Purchases where insurance requirements are required.
Purchase of items for personal use is prohibited.
(c) Unacceptable Actions
Use of the P-Card or P-Card number by anyone other than the Cardholder is
expressly prohibited.
P-Card cannot be used on purchases from an established vendor where HART has
an established billing account.
Failure to follow “Procurement Policies and Procedures”, “Purchasing Card Policy
and Procedures” and/or “Travel Policies and Procedures”
Failure to process paperwork timely.
Use of the P-Card to circumvent established Purchasing Policies and Procedures.
Any supervisor directing a subordinate Cardholder to use a card for an unauthorized
purpose or in an unacceptable manner is subject to discipline up to and including
termination.
(5) Authority and Standard Operating Procedures
Primary responsibility for the Purchasing Card Program resides with the Chief Financial Officer.
The Chief Financial Officer will assign a Program Administrator to oversee the program, develop
Standard Operating Procedures and provide training to staff. The Senior Manager of Procurement
and Contracts Administration will provide assistance and direction where necessary to comply
with documented Procurement Policies and Procedures.
A complete Standard Operating Procedure for Purchasing Cards can be obtained from the
Finance Department or through the HART Connect website.
BUDGET MANAGEMENT PROCESS
HART Fiscal year runs from October 1 thru September 30. Each year HART starts the budget
process in March.
OPERATING BUDGETING PROCESS
Starting in early April, discussions begin on next year’s operating budget. During this time
departments can communicate any issues with the current budget, discuss position requirements,
and the proposed service for the next fiscal year. Departments are sent their line-item budgets that
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 63
includes prior year expenditures and the current year trend. After these discussions departments
input their projected expenses and submit them to the budget department.
While this is occurring, revenues are budgeted. Revenues such as fares, interest and other revenue
are budgeted based on trends and expectations. For example, fares are calculated based on the
trend of ridership and average fare received. In the same manner interest rates and the amount in
the account is used to determine interest revenues. The major revenue sources or ad valorem,
formula and block grants are provided by the government agencies.
The budget department compiles this information and meets with the departments to go over their
budgets. Variances are discussed to ensure that departments are budgeting appropriately. This
compiled budget is discussed between the CEO and CFO. Once approved the tentative budget is
presented to the HART board of directors to discuss any changes before adopting.
CAPITAL WORKING GROUP AND BUDGETING PROCESS
A Capital Project Working Group is selected in March. This team consists of department directors
and other key stake holders. Departments put in request forms identifying capital needs. Each
request is logged and sent out to the team to evaluate. The evaluation is based on numerous factors
that include the state of the current assets, impact to service, impact to health and safety, impact to
the environment, impact on stakeholders and reputation, and finally the financial impact.
The financial impact includes future operating expenses that will result in the capital
improvement. Typically, these capital expenses result in an operating savings, but can be neutral
or even increase operating costs. Details and estimates are discussed in the working group
meetings and used in making the final decisions. This process is consistent with HART policy
940.10, Funding of Capital Improvements Expenditures.
Once all areas are scored by each member of the capital budget team, scores are totaled with the
highest scored projects added to the capital plan based on the urgency of need and the amount of
funding available in the capital budget.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 64
BUDGET PRESENTATIONS AND BUDGET CALENDAR
The tentative capital and operating budgets are compiled and briefed on numerous occasions
between May and August to the HART board. This gives ample time to receive feedback from
the board for any changes to the priorities. In September a finalized budget is presented at two
public meetings allowing for public input.
Below and in the following pages are examples of a Capital Projects Request Form, the budget
calendar, and an explanation of the Truth in Millage (TRIM) process and calendar.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 65
DATE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET CALENDAR
March 04, 2024
Budget Kickoff Meeting. FY25 Operating Budget Planning, development and procedures meeting with
Chief Executive Officer, Chiefs and Directors for senior-level discussion. Also, the kick-off of 2025-
2029 capital project budget process.
March 13, 2024 Distribution of the FY25 operating budget templates to the Chiefs and Directors.
March 27, 2024
First meeting of the Capital Projects Working Group for the development of the FY25-FY29 Five-Year
Capital plan.
April 10, 2024 Deadline for Working Group to submit Capital Request Form to voting committee.
April 11, 2024 The Voting Committee meets to evaluate the Capital Request form.
April 15, 2024 Chiefs and Directors to submit proposed FY25 Operating Budget template to Finance.
April 18, 2024 Project Chair will be meeting with Working Group to disclose selected projects
April 30, 2024 Budget and Grants staff will meet with Chiefs and Directors to discuss the Proposed FY25 Operating
and Capital Budget.
May 1, 2024
Capital Project Executive Team convenes to review and make decisions on FY25-FY29 draft five-year
capital plan.
May 6, 2024 Presentation of FY25 Operating and Capital Budget to the leadership team.
May 20, 2024
Presentation of Proposed Operating Budget, Capital Budget, and Five-year Capital Plan to the HART
Finance and Audit Committee.
June 03, 2024 Budget presentation of proposed operating and capital budgets to HART Board.
August 19, 2024
Budget presentation and presentation on five-year capital plan and FY25 capital budget to Finance and
Audit Committee.
September 09,
2024
1st Public Hearing. Board adopts tentative millage and tentative budget
September 23,
2024 2nd and Final Public Hearing. Board the final millage and final budget
Although all board meetings allow for the public to engage with the agency and the board, HART
is required to hold two public hearings that ensures the public has an opportunity to weigh in on
the proposed tax and agency budget.
TRIM PROCESS FY2025
In 1980, the Florida Legislature passed the Truth in Millage (TRIM) Act. This law is designed to
inform taxpayers which governmental entity is responsible for the taxes levied and the amount of
tax liability taxpayers owe to each taxing authority.
Truth in Millage establishes the statutory requirements that all taxing authorities levying a millage
must follow, including all notices and budget hearing requirements. These requirements are
prescribed by chapter 200 of the Florida Statutes.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 66
Date
FISCAL YEAR 2025 TRIM CALENDAR
July 1, 2024
TRIM Process Kickoff
July 1, 2024
The property appraiser certifies the taxable value on Certification of Taxable Value
(Form DR-420) and delivers it to each taxing authority in his or her jurisdiction. The
property appraiser will certify Certification of Voted Debt Millage (Form DR-
420DEBT) if the taxing authority has a voted debt. The property appraiser will also
certify Tax Increment Adjustment Worksheet (Form DR-420TIF) if there is a
community redevelopment area.
July 15, 2024
HART Board of Directors resolve to advise the Property Appraiser of its prior year and
current year proposed millage rate, rolled-back rate, and the date, time and place of a
Public Hearing to consider proposed millage rate and tentative budget.
August 4, 2024
Within 35 days of certificate of value, each taxing authority certifies the completed DR-
420 Dr-420MMP, and any additional forms and returns them to the property appraiser.
The taxing authority informs the property appraiser of the following :
Prior Year millage rate
Current year proposed millage rate
Current year rolled-backed rate (calculated under s 200.065.F.S)
The date, time, and meeting place of the tentative budget hearing
August 24, 2024
In compliance with section 200.65, F.S., the property appraiser mails the TRIM notice
within 55 days after certification of value.
If the Department has issued a review notice to the county’s property appraiser, the
property appraiser cannot mail the TRIM notice until the Department has approved the
assessment roll under s. 193.1142, F.S. this ACTION I
September 9, 2024
Within 65 to 80 days of certification of value, the taxing authority holds a public
hearing on the tentative budget and proposed millage rate (final hearing for school
districts). The TRIM notice, which the property appraiser mails, publicizes this hearing.
At this hearing, the taxing authority:
- Amends the tentative budget
- Re-calculates the proposed millage rate
- Publicly announces the percentage, if any, by which the re-calculated proposed
millage exceeds the rolled-back rate
- Adopts a tentative millage and budget
If the tentatively adopted millage rate is greater than the proposed rate used for the
TRIM notice, each taxpayer in the jurisdiction must receive notification of the increase
by first class mail at the taxing authority’s expense (s. 200.065(2)(d), F
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 67
Date
FISCAL YEAR 2025 TRIM CALENDAR (Continued)
September 17, 2024
Within 15 days after the tentative budget hearing, the taxing authority advertises its
intent to adopt a final millage and budget.
The taxing authority must advertise a NOTICE OF PROPOSED TAX INCREASE if
the tentatively adopted millage rate is greater than the rolled-back rate. The
advertisement must be one-quarter page and headed, “Notice of Proposed Tax
Increase” (s. 200.065(3)(a), F.S.)
AND
a BUDGET SUMMARY ADVERTISEMENT, which must be adjacent to the
advertisement for the final hearing and meet the requirements of section 129.03(3)(b),
F.S. (s. 200.065(3)(l), F.S.)
The official advertisement will be place in the Tampa Bay Times, a notice will be
advertise La Gaceta and Florida Sentinel.
September 23, 2024
Hold the public hearing to adopt the final millage rate and budget two to five days
after the advertisement appears in the newspaper (s. 200.065(2), F.S.).
- Discuss the percentage increase in millage over the rolled-back rate first.
- Adopt the millage before adopting the budget by a separate vote.
- Do not adopt a final millage rate that exceeds the tentative millage rate.
- Before adopting the millage levy resolution or ordinance, publicly announce:
• The name of the taxing authority
• The rolled-back rate
• The percentage increase over the rolled-back rate
• The millage rate to be levied
September 26, 2024
Send the resolution or ordinance adopting the final millage rate to the property
appraiser, the tax collector, and the Department within three days after the final
hearing.
- The taxing authority cannot levy any millage rates, other than those approved by
referendum, until the governing board of the taxing authority approves the resolution
or ordinance to levy and sends it to the property appraiser and the tax collector.
- The property appraiser’s receipt of the resolution or ordinance is the official notice
that the taxing authority has approved the millage rate (s. 200.065(4), F.S.).
Before the extension of the rolls, the property appraiser sends Form DR-422 to each
taxing authority and, if applicable, Forms DR-422DEBT. DR-422 and DR-422DEBT
record any aggregate change in the assessment roll from the preliminary roll, including
changes that result from actions by the value adjustment board (VAB) and correction
of errors to the assessment roll.
October 23, 2024 D422 completed by HART and certifies final millage to the property appraiser
October 23, 2024 Post final adopted budget on HART website
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 68
SECTION III - ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
The Hillsborough Transit Authority, or HART, was created as a body politic and corporate under
Chapter 163, Part V, Sections 163.567, et seq., Florida Statutes, on October 3, 1979. It was
originally chartered for the purpose of providing mass transit service to two charter members, the
City of Tampa, (“the city”) and the unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County, Florida (“the
County”). The Authority may admit membership of any county or municipality contiguous to one
of its members upon application and after approval by a majority vote of the entire Board of
Directors. The City of Temple Terrace has been admitted as a member of the Authority.
The Authority’s Board of Directors is comprised of two directors appointed by the Governor of
the State of Florida and a minimum of one director from each member. Members are allowed an
additional director for each 150,000 persons, or major fraction thereof, residing in those members’
jurisdictional limits. The Authority is governed by its 13-member Board of Directors (“Board”),
which makes decisions, designates management, significantly influences operations, and
maintains primary fiscal responsibility.
The Authority has been determined to be an “Independent Special District” as described in Section
189.403, Florida Statutes, and is authorized to levy an ad valorem tax of up to one-half mill ($.50)
on the taxable value of real and tangible personal property within the jurisdiction of its members.
The Authority’s ad valorem taxes are reviewed as part of the annual assessment of Hillsborough
County, which levies its taxes November 1. Collection of taxes is scheduled November through
the following March. Taxes become delinquent April 1 and tax certificates placing liens on the
property are sold May 31.
Additional revenues and funding are received from passenger fares, other revenues and grants from
the U.S. government, the State of Florida, the City of Tampa, and Hillsborough County.
HART GOVERNING BOARD
HART is governed by a 14-member Board that establishes policies and sets direction for the
Authority. The Board consists of a chair and 13 members: seven appointed by the Hillsborough
Board of County Commissioners, four members appointed by the City of Tampa, one appointed
by the City of Temple Terrace, and two members appointed by the Governor. Board members
serves a staggered three-year term.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 69
MANAGEMENT
The Authority is managed by a Chief Executive Officer who acts in
accordance with the direction, goals, and policies articulated by the
Board. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the Authority’s
daily operations and directly supervises the core personnel who lead
the organization: Chief Financial Officer; Chief of Safety; Chief
Administrative Officer; Chief Operations Officer. Additionally, the
Director of Executive Office & Board Support and the Director of
Legal Services report to the Chief Executive Officer.
Scott Drainville
Chief Executive Officer
PERSONNEL
HART’s workforce is organized into three primary groups:
1. Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) – 615.75 Members:
Representing the majority of HART’s employees, this group includes bus operators, paratransit
van operators, and maintenance workers who are essential to HARTs daily operations.
2. Teamsters – 55 Members:
This group primarily consists of operations and maintenance supervisors, providing leadership
and oversight within their respective areas.
3. Non-Bargaining Staff – 144 Members:
These employees are not represented by a union and include management, administrative
personnel, and professionals in supervisory, planning, finance, legal, and executive roles. This
group provides strategic direction and operational support across the organization.
POSITION COUNT BY UNIT
UNIT
FY2023
Actual
FY2024
Adopted
FY2025
Adopted
FY2025
Increase
(Decrease)
Amalgamated Transit Union
594
627
615.75
(11.25)
Teamsters
52
55
55
0
Non-Bargaining
155
137
144
7
Total Positions
801
819
814.75
(4.25)
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 70
The following Organizational Chart shows all divisions and departments and how they fit within
the organizational structure.
Below is a breakdown of budgeted amounts by division.
EXPENSES BY DIVISION
Executive 5,381,448 4,632,560 3,737,883 (894,677)
Operations 76,993,276 72,294,500 76,286,520 3,992,020
Finance 3,920,191 4,144,392 7,218,604 3,074,212
Administration 24,785,317 24,575,492 27,126,503 2,551,011
Safety 3,228,878 3,041,836 2,936,056 (105,780)
Total Expenses 114,309,110 108,688,780 117,305,565 8,616,786
FY2025 Increase
(Decrease) FY24
FY2025 Adopted
DIVISION
FY23 Adopted
FY2024 Adopted
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 71
SERVICE AND RIDERSHIP
HART provides public transportation services in the Hillsborough County area. These services
include fixed route, flex route, Paratransit, and Streetcar services. HART maintains 2,294 bus
stops, 650 shelters, 6 transfer stations, and 2 transit centers, along with a fleet of 132 buses for
fixed routes, 8 vans for flex routes, 75 vans for Paratransit, and 8 streetcars that are free to the
public.
Most of HARTs service, as measured by revenue hours, is local and express bus services,
accounting for 77.4 percent, followed by paratransit at 19.2 percent, and streetcar at 3.4 percent.
Most HART routes run seven days per week, with some routes reducing services on Saturday and
Sunday. Most weekday routes operate starting from 4:30 AM and ending at various times during
the night, with 15-to-60-minute headways.
FIXED ROUTE
Most of the fixed-route bus service is within the City of Tampa, but service also reaches into Town
‘N Country, Citrus Park, Carrollwood, Temple Terrace, Brandon, and limited parts of the South
Shore area including Gibsonton and Sun City Center. There are seven designated transit/transfer
centers. At the University Area Transit Center (UATC) near USF, HART connects its services to
the USF Bull Runner, a free on-campus circulator service. All HART fixed-route buses are low-
floor and ramp-equipped for easy wheelchair access, and also have bicycle racks.
HART operates a network of four limited express routes connecting park-and-ride lots in lower-
density areas of the county. The routes 24LX and 25LX operate a limited number of peak travel
hour trips with limited stops. There are also routes 275LX and 360LX. Park-and-ride lots extend
the range of the service, enabling patrons to drive to a stop and leave their cars during the day at
no additional charge.
FLEX ROUTE
Flex service is a hybrid of traditional local fixed-route service and demand-response service.
Currently, HARTFlex operates 2 flex routes on a regular route and schedule including only one
that is allowed to deviate or flex into a specific area upon advanced reservation. Flex service is
designed for communities that exhibit demand for transit service but have lower-than-traditional
population and employment densities
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 72
PARATRANSIT
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, HART provides
HARTPlus, a complementary ADA paratransit service for eligible passengers with disabilities.
Persons are eligible for service if they have physical, cognitive, emotional, visual, or other
disabilities that prevent them from using HART’s fixed-route bus system. HARTPlus services are
available within 1.5 miles of regular bus routes.
STREETCAR
HART operates a Fixed Guideway streetcar service known as the TECO Line Streetcar under
contract with Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc. The service extends a total of 2.7 miles and links Ybor
City, Channelside, and Downtown Tampa.
SUPPORT VEHICLES
Hart has a fleet of 73 support vehicles that include staff cars, road supervisor vehicles, relief
vehicles, and specialty vehicles for facilities and maintenance.
MAPS
The maps on the next two pages show the service areas. The first one shows the fixed guideway
route and stops. The second map shows the fixed route and paratransit system.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 73
TECO Line Streetcar System Map
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 74
HART 2025 Current System
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 75
FARES
The base fare for HART local and limited express routes is $2.00, $1.00 for the Flex route, and
$4.00 for HARTPlus routes. Discounts are provided for older adults, youth, passengers with
disabilities, Medicare cardholders, Veterans, and adult students through participating educational
institutions. With the exception of Medicare cardholders, passengers must have a HART discount
permit or paratransit permit to ride for a discounted fare (proper identification is required upon
initial request of any discount permit). Various ride cards that store multiple rides are available for
purchase as well. Passengers under the age of six and not taller than the yellow height line provided
in the vehicles ride for free when accompanied by a paying adult. The current HART fare structure
is shown below:
Fare Category Fare
Local & Limited Express
Cash Fare
$2.00
Discounted Cash Fare (local only)
$1.00
1-Day Local Unlimited Ride
$4.00
1-Day Discount Unlimited Ride
$2.00
10 Pack 1-Day Local Unlimited Ride
$37.00
10 Pack 1-Day Discount Unlimited Ride
$18.50
31-Day Local Unlimited Ride
$65.00
31-Day Discount Local Unlimited Ride
$32.50
3-Day Visitor
$11.75
Flex
Cash Fare
$1.00
1-Day Unlimited Ride
$2.00
Rail
TECO Streetcar
Free
Intercounty Monthly Pass
HART/PSTA Passport
$85.00
ADA Paratransit
HARTPlus One-Way Cash Fare
$4.00
10-Ride HARTPlus Pass
$40.00
FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
HART maintains numerous facilities to accommodate the provision of the fixed-route bus,
demand-response, and streetcar services in the Tampa Bay area. HART’s fixed-route and demand-
response services currently are provided from the facility located on 21st Avenue in Tampa.
HART’s administration and streetcar operations and maintenance functions are located at HART’s
Ybor City facility. The main HART operations and maintenance facility at the 21st
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 76
Avenue location includes numerous bus facilities and infrastructure including, but not limited to,
the following key components:
20 numbered repair bays
2 fuel positions
2 bus wash bays (drive-through type)
24 bus lanes for parking (west lot)
23 bus lanes for parking (east lot)
HART owns or maintains numerous other transit facilities in various locations throughout the
Hillsborough County area, including:
8 park-n-ride lots
2 transit centers:
o Marion Transit Center (MTC)
o University Area Transit Center (UATC)
6 transfer centers:
o Britton Plaza
o Westshore Plaza
o Yukon
o Netpark
o Northwest
o West Tampa
Marion Street Transitway
Southern Transportation Plaza
Approximately 2,257 bus stops
Approximately 650 passenger shelters
The following map shows where these locations are within the county.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 77
MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES
MISSION: HART takes people to the places that enhance their lives.
VISION: To be the highest customer-ranked mobility provider in the Tampa Bay region.
DESCRIPTION OF VALUES:
The safety of our passengers, our employees, and the general public is our top
priority.
We will provide safe, clean, reliable, on-time, courteous service for our customers and
the community.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 78
We are dedicated to the highest ethical standards, including uncompromising
transparency, honesty, and integrity in all activities.
We believe in growing our employees and instilling a spirit of cooperation within HART
and with our partners.
We will meet all regulations and strive for continuous improvement.
We will treat all customers, and employees with dignity and respect.
We are committed to managing every dollar as if it were coming from our own pockets.
GOALS:
1: Be Financially Sustainable
Objectives:
1. Regularly evaluate system/route productivity and implement route, area, and/or system-
based efficiency improvements.
2. Identify and evaluate alternative opportunities to enhance revenues.
3. Seek additional funding for services and programs.
4. Maintain a multi-year capital plan.
5. Incentivize private-sector and community transit investments and partnerships.
2: Prioritize the Customer Experience
Objectives:
1. Implement programs and technology to make the service more reliable.
2. Continue to improve service reliability and on-time performance.
3. Invest in customer focused amenities such as new fare payment, enhanced real-time
information tools, and amenities at bus stops.
4. Enhance customer communications.
3: Support Employee Success
Objectives:
1. Improve strategies to recruit and attract a more diverse applicant pool for vacant positions.
2. Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace through trainings, workshops, and
events.
3. Create additional opportunities for employees to openly share ideas and experiences.
4. Promote a focus around employee health and wellness.
5. Implement a “Rewards and Recognition Program” to celebrate employee achievements and
years of service.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 79
4: Enhance Community Value
Objectives:
1. Support community initiatives that align affordable housing with transit service.
2. Continue collaboration with partner transit agencies and government entities.
3. Grow partnership with HCC and other local area technical schools.
STRATEGIC PLANNING & PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
The strategic goals and the performance scorecard are created annually under the direction of CEO
and Executive Office & Board Support Department. The leadership team collaborates and
recommends the strategic goals for fiscal year. The goals are presented to the Board of Directors
Strategic Planning Committee for their review and input. This Strategic Planning Committee
recommends the final goals to the Board of Directors for approval. The Board of Directors
approves the goals at the regularly schedule board meetings. Each board meeting includes time
allowed for public comments, which gives the public an opportunity to comment on the strategic
goals, if desired.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT PLAN (TDP)
The Transit Development Plan (TDP) major update was initiated by the Hillsborough Transit
Authority (HART) to refine a strategic guide for public transportation in the community over the
next 10 years. The TDP represents the community’s vision for public transportation in its service
area. A major TDP update also allows transit agencies to outline actions to be taken in the
following year and set goals for subsequent years. As a strategic plan, the TDP identifies needs in
an unconstrained fashion and highlights service improvements for which currently there is no
funding. This major update covers the 10-year planning horizon from FY 2023 to FY 2032.
OBJECTIVES OF THE TDP
The TDP provides a 10-year plan for transit and mobility needs, cost and revenue
projections, and community transit goals, objectives, and policies.
It also should be noted that HART’s Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA), an
efficiency analysis that developed various near-term route/service adjustment
recommendations for the current HART network, and the 5-Year Capital Plan were
considered. This TDP has incorporated the key findings/recommendations from the COA,
as applicable. The Integrated Success Plan is the agency’s blueprint to deliver high
quality customer service and value to its community. Additionally, it is important to
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 80
acknowledge that this HART TDP constitutes a single step as part of HART’s broader
Integrated Success Plan.
STATE REQUIREMENTS
As a recipient of State Public Transit Block Grant funds, the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT) requires a major update of HART’s TDP every five years to ensure that the provision of
public transportation is consistent with the mobility needs of the local communities. According to
Rule 14-73.001–Public Transportation of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), “A TDP shall
be the provider’s planning, development, and operational guidance document, based on a ten-year
planning horizon and covers the year for which funding is sought and the nine subsequent
years. A TDP or an annual TDP Update shall be used in developing the Department’s five-year
Work Program, the Transportation Improvement Program, and the Department’s Program and
Resource Plan.”
Development of the TDP includes a review of related planning and policy documents,
documentation of study area conditions and current transit services, incorporation of public input,
development of potential transit improvements and vision, and creation of a 10-year financial and
implementation plan. Major requirements of the TDP Rule include:
A Public Involvement Plan (PIP) approved by the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT) or consistent with the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) approved
Public Participation Plan (PPP).
An evaluation of factors, referred to as a situation appraisal, within and outside the public
transit provider’s purview, that affect the provision of transit services. This includes land
use, state and local transportation plans, other governmental actions and policies,
socioeconomic trends, organizational issues, and technology.
The public transit provider’s vision, mission, goals, and objectives, taking into
consideration the findings of the situation appraisal.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 81
Alternative services, projects, plans, and programs to achieve the provider’s goals and
objectives, as well as the costs and benefits of each.
Estimation of the community’s demand for transit service over the 10-year period.
A 10-year financial and implementation plan, including a detailed list of the projects or
services needed to meet the goals and objectives in the TDP. This includes both funded
services and projects, and those for which funding may not have been identified yet.
TDP 10-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN
The 10-Year TDP Financial Plan shows estimated annual costs to continue HART’s existing
service, estimated operating cost reductions required to achieve financial sustainability, and capital
infrastructure improvements that are programmed for implementation within the next 10 years to
meet the agency’s strategic goals. These estimated costs are aligned with anticipated operating and
capital revenues over the next 10 years, assuming a balanced operating and capital budget of
$1,451 million and $435 million, respectively.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 82
TDP Operating Expenses & Revenues
HART TDP 10-Year Plan ($000s Year of Expenditure Dollars)
Cost/Revenue 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034
10-Year
Total
Operating
Operating Costs
Existing HART
Operations
117,305
126,870
130,523
133,786
137,619
141,060
144,586
148,201
151,906
155,704
1,387,561
Cost Adjustments
Required to Balance
Operating Budget
-
(3,636)
(1,538)
5,804
6,204
7,371
8,617
9,946
11,362
12,879
57,009
New Operating Costs
- Heavy Maintenance
Facility
-
-
-
-
224
233
243
252
262
263
1,478
Fare Replacement
and Operating
Assistance (COT
Route 1 Pilot)
1,650
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,650
Streetcar Circulator
Operating Costs
1,200
1,200
1,200
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,600
Total Operating
Costs
120,155
124,434
130,185
139,591
144,048
148,664
153,446
158,399
163,530
168,846
1,451,297
Operating Revenue
Existing Fare
Revenue
11,201
11,575
11,575
11,691
11,808
11,926
12,045
12,165
12,287
12,410
118,683
Fare Replacement
and Operating
Assistance (COT
Route 1 Pilot)
1,650
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,650
HART Match FDOT
Service Development
Grant (Streetcar
Circulator)
600
600
600
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,800
FDOT Service
Development Grant
(Streetcar
Circulator)
600
600
600
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,800
Advertising Revenue
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,530
1,561
1,592
1,624
1,656
1,689
1,723
15,874
Other Revenue
499
500
500
510
520
531
541
552
563
574
5,290
Interest Revenue
2,363
2,200
2,200
2,244
2,289
2,335
2,381
2,429
2,478
2,527
23,446
Ad Valorem Tax
Revenue
77,716
81,602
85,682
89,109
92,674
96,381
100,236
104,245
108,415
112,752
948,811
Ad Valorem
Transfers
(4,114)
(2,780)
(500)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(7,394)
Federal Operating
Grants
20,710
21,000
21,000
21,420
21,848
22,285
22,731
23,186
23,649
24,122
221,952
State Operating
Grants
7,771
8,100
8,100
8,262
8,427
8,596
8,768
8,943
9,122
9,304
85,393
Local Operating
Grants
1,351
1,351
1,351
1,378
1,406
1,434
1,462
1,492
1,521
1,552
14,298
THS, INC.
3,185
3,280
3,379
3,447
3,516
3,586
3,658
3,731
3,805
3,881
35,467
Fund
Balance/Transfer
(to) From Reserves
(4,877)
(5,094)
(5,802)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(15,773)
Total Operating
Revenue
120,155
124,434
130,185
139,591
144,048
148,664
153,446
158,399
163,530
168,846
1,451,297
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 83
TDP Capital Revenue
Cost/Revenue 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 10-Year Total
Capital
Revenue
FHWA Surface
Transportation
Block Grant
-
5,140
5,243
5,348
5,455
5,564
5,675
5,789
5,904
6,022 50,139
FTA
Discretionary
Grants
19,146
-
20,000
-
-
-
-
-
2,000
-
41,146
HART General
Fund
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Florida
Department of
Transportation
108
1,984
2,024
2,064
2,105
2,148
2,191
2,234
2,279
2,325 19,461
State Block
Grant Funds
-
6,176
6,300
6,426
6,554
-
-
-
-
-
25,455
Tampa Electric
(TECO)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
FTA Bus and
Bus Facilities
Formula (5339)
3,081
3,143
3,205
3,270
3,335
3,402
3,470
3,539
3,610
3,682 33,735
FTA State of
Good Repair
Formula (5337)
1,219
1,243
1,268
1,294
1,320
1,346
1,373
1,400
1,428
1,457 13,349
FTA
Emergency
Relief Program
(5324)
900
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
900
FTA Urbanized
Area Formula
(5307)
26,008
3,554
3,625
3,698
3,772
3,847
3,924
4,003
4,083
4,164 60,678
Local
Impact/Mobility
Fees & Other
-
1,123
1,145
1,168
1,192
1,215
1,240
1,265
1,290
1,316 10,953
Hillsborough
County Funding
- Tampa Bay
Passenger Ferry
-
2,209
-
9,235
12,244
12,672
7,869
-
-
-
44,229
Hillsborough
County Funding
- Heavy
Maintenance
Facility
-
15,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
15,000
City and TPO
Funding - Heavy
Maintenance
Facility
-
3,000
-
22,000
2,000
-
-
-
-
-
27,000
Unidentified
Capital Funding
Required to
Balance Capital
Budget
-
36,792
30,381
16,280
-
-
2,387
9,944
7,626
11,302 114,713
Total Capital
Revenue
50,461
79,364
73,192
70,782
37,976
30,194
28,128
28,173
28,220
30,268
456,758
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 84
TDP Capital Expense
Cost/Revenue 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 10-Year
Total
Capital Costs
Replacement of 40' Diesel
Buses with CNG Buses
12,010
12,970
14,883
17,020
14,297
14,236
14,236
14,236
14,236
14,236
142,360
Zero Emission Electric
Buses & Infrastructure-
Pilot Phase 1
-
5,485
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,485
Streetcar Vehicle
Maintenance - Parts
150
200
150
100
100
-
-
-
-
-
700
Engine and Transmission
Replacements
850
918
991
1,071
1,156
-
-
-
-
-
4,987
Replacement of
Paratransit/Flex Vans
1,658
1,724
2,390
2,113
2,068
2,068
2,068
2,068
2,068
2,068
20,295
Bus Mid-Life Overhaul
3,375
1,750
2,000
1,875
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
21,000
Streetcar Tie Replacement
248
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
248
Non-Revenue Vehicles
Replacement- Admin.
Program
199
538
187
136
873
387
387
387
387
387
3,868
Ferry Vessel
6,084
Streetcar Rebuild (Phase 2)
821
2,000
1,200
84
-
-
-
-
-
2,000
6,106
Revenue Vehicles and
Maintenance Total
19,310
31,670
21,803
22,399
20,494
18,691
18,691
18,691
18,691
20,691
211,132
Heavy Maintenance
Building
Renovation/Reconstruction
9,000
18,000
40,000
38,000
2,000
-
-
-
-
-
107,000
Streetcar Station Roofing
Ybor Stations
100
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
100
Bi-Fuel Generator
Conversion
-
100
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
100
Netpark Breakroom
-
260
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
260
Other Facilities and
Construction Costs
950
528
250
-
-
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
11,728
Facilities and
Construction Total
10,050
18,888
40,250
38,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
119,188
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 85
TDP Capital Expense Continued
Cost 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 10-Year
Total
Capital Costs
CAD/AVL ITS System and Radio
Replacement Project
13,425
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
13,425
Other Technology Costs
1,134
4,473
788
32
17
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
16,444
Technology Total
14,559
4,473
788
32
17
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
29,869
Construction of Bus Bay,
Landing & Shelter Pads
1,729
1,436
1,436
1,436
1,436
1,436
1,436
1,436
1,436
1,436
14,654
Design for Shelters & Bus Bays
436
436
436
436
436
436
436
436
436
436
4,361
Shelters and Amenities
2,200
1,200
1,200
1,200
1,200
1,242
1,285
1,330
1,377
1,425
13,660
BTI Tech
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
10,000
Bus Stops and Shelters Total
5,365
4,072
4,072
4,072
4,072
4,114
4,158
4,203
4,249
4,297
42,675
Transportation Studies
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
5,000
GIS Upgrade
-
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
27
A&E Contract (Capital
Programs PMO)
350
350
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
700
Planning and Studies Total
850
853
503
503
503
503
503
503
503
503
5,727
Arterial BRT (Existing)
15,000
5,000
5,000
5,000
-
-
-
-
-
30,000
Security Surveillance System on
Facilities
326
776
776
776
776
776
776
776
776
776
7,315
Safety and Security Total
326
776
776
776
776
776
776
776
776
776
7,315
Farebox Installation and Parts
-
3,582
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,582
Bus Bay Post Lifts (2 sets)
-
50
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
50
Maintenance Equipment
Total
-
3,632
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,632
Total Capital Cost
50,461
79,364
73,192
70,782
32,863
28,085
28,128
28,173
28,220
30,268
419,537
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 86
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND UNFUNDED NEEDS
The TDP implementation plan outlines the improvements that are included in the HART TDP
Funded Plan from 2023 to 2032. The table below shows the respective implementation years, the
operating and capital costs associated with each line item, and the existing or new revenues that
are anticipated to fund the improvement. In addition, the unfunded needs are shown. As priorities
change, funding assumptions do not materialize, or more funding becomes available, this project
implementation schedule and the corresponding financial plan should be adjusted. Non-recurring
capital projects are implemented based on budgetary constraints.
Priorities are shifted each year based on the funding available to complete projects and add
services. Planning these projects out in future years helps us to plan for expenses and allows
HART to add those priorities to the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and the
Tampa Planning Organization’s (TPO) Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). Being identified
on the TIP and STIP can lead to funding for these projects.
The biggest current unfunded need for HART is the replacement of the Heavy Maintenance
facility. HART contracted a consultant in 2023 to re-evaluate previous data compiled regarding
the Heavy Maintenance (HM) Facility and HART Operation Campus. The consultant will provide
a master plan with current and future cost considerations, phasing strategies on improvements as
well as the preferred procurement method. The agency will continue to prioritize funding to
construct the proposed phased approach to these new maintenance building and campus
improvements. The construction of a new combined Heavy and Preventative Maintenance (PM)
Campus to include the replacement of the service buildings and improvements of fleet parking
areas on campus will need to phase due to funding constraints. These campus improvements will
increase efficiencies and safety for traffic flow and reduce dead head around the campus for
specific routes. These new total campus improvements will address the current functional needs
and future needs for 50+ years of the agency. The construction of this new modern campus will
accommodate new vehicle technologies, increased maintenance bay ceiling heights with increased
natural light, additional ventilation, and other amenities for employees. The new Heavy
Maintenance building and campus will also support HART’s planned transition to a Zero Emission
fleet by 2035 and advance its partnership with local higher educational and vocational institutions
to house a high-tech training facility on campus. This will create a pipeline for frontline employees
to fill jobs at HART and throughout the region.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 87
30 YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN
In addition to the TDP 10-year plan, HART has developed a 30-year long-term financial plan and
financial model to guide HARTs funding and policy decisions.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 88
PERFORMANCE SCORECARD
HART leadership team collaborated on development of its mission, vision, a performance
management system, and Organizational Performance Scorecard, an essential tool to measure
achievement levels and success. The organizational scorecard is a foundation for the development
of the departmental goals and for the Leaders to have conversations with the employees to increase
their understanding of how every member of the HART Team contributes to organizational
performance and success. Each quarter of the fiscal year, the scorecard will be tabulated and results
analyzed. HART performance in achieving its goals will be shared with all employees and the
Board.
In FY2025, HART will focus on achieving measurable outcomes over legacy input metrics,
ensuring that our efforts translate into tangible benefits for our customers, employees, and the
community. For the Fiscal Year 2025 Organizational Performance Scorecardstrategic goals
and expected outcomes are outlined across several key areas: Customer Experience, Community
Value, Employee Engagement, Financial Stability, and new this year - Safety and Security.
FY2025 Success Outcomes
In FY2025, HART will know it has been a successful year if:
1. Customer Experience: HART consistently improves Customer Satisfaction annually
through comprehensive measurement and targeted enhancements.
2. Community Value: HART achieves annual growth in positive community sentiment
about its value to Hillsborough County.
3. Employee Success: HART achieves increases in Employee Engagement levels annually.
4. Financial Performance: HART's year-end financial performance aligns with the
Financial Plan and actual revenue projections.
5. Safety and Security: HART ensures all customers and employees feel safe and secure
using and delivering services.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 89
FY2025 Org Performance Scorecard
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 90
SECTION IV - DIVISIONS
OVERVIEW
This section discusses the functions, responsibilities, and goals of each division and the
departments under those divisions within the Authority. This includes detailed expenses, function
charts, and position charts. It also includes goals and prior year accomplishments.
EXECUTIVE DIVISION
The Executive Division reports to the Chief Executive Officer.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) works under authority granted by the Board of Directors to
lead, manage, and direct the Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART), ensure program and fiscal
accountability, and legal compliance, implement HART Board goals, and principally represent the
HART in all its dealings.
The CEO leads, administers, directs, oversees, and evaluates the activities and operations of
Hillsborough Transit Authority including the Bus, Rail, administrative Departments/Offices, and
all other Agency programs and functional areas; coordinates services and activities between
departments/offices and with outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex
administrative support to the Hillsborough Transit Authority Board of Directors.
The CEO assumes full responsibility for directing the activities of the Agency and is accountable
to the Board of Directors for the overall performance of the Agency in carrying out Hillsborough
Transit Authority’s mission. This position is responsible for developing an organizational culture
and leading the agency’s senior management team. This position provides policy guidance, advice,
and counsel to the Hillsborough Transit Authority Board of Directors regarding strategic policy
and problem solving and assumes responsibility for implementing policy decisions made by the
Hillsborough Transit Authority Board of Directors.
The direct reports for the CEO include Division Chiefs, the Executive Office and Board Support,
and Legal department.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 91
DIVISION STAFFING
DIVISION FINANCES
The following two charts show expenses for the executive departments. The first chart is by the
departments and the second chart is by category of expense.
Executive Office Adopted Budget
Dept Name
FY23
Budget
FY24
Budget
FY25
Budget
FY25 vs FY24
Budget Variance
% of
Budget
Chief Administration Officer
$330,710
$225,074
$219,600
($5,474)
5.9%
Chief Capital Development Office
$245,616
$0
$0
$0
0.0%
Chief Customer Experience Office
$262,685
$0
$0
$0
0.0%
Chief Financial Office
$386,124
$390,414
$389,025
($1,389)
10.4%
Chief Legal & General Counsel
Office
$328,077 $0 $0 $0 0.0%
Chief Operating Officer
$514,878
$318,771
$340,976
$22,205
9.1%
Chief of Safety
$0
$266,008
$276,648
$10,640
7.4%
Executive Office
$747,872
$638,643
$864,878
$226,235
23.1%
Legal Staff/Gen Counsel/Labor
Attorney
$1,723,707
$1,680,457 $1,233,422 ($447,035) 33.0%
Office of Board Support
$0
$403,707
$413,334
$9,627
11.1%
Legal/Risk Worker's Compensation
$841,780
$709,486
$0
($709,486)
0.0%
TOTAL EXECUTIVE
$5,381,449
$4,632,561
$3,737,883
($894,677)
100.0%
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 92
Executive Division FY23
Budget
FY24
Budget
Adopted Budget
FY25
Budget
FY25 vs FY24
Budget Variance
% of
Variance
Salaries and Wages
$2,769,759
$1,735,277
$2,174,569
$439,292
20.20%
Fringe Benefits Salaries/Wages
$498,491
$364,716
$478,405
$113,689
23.76%
SUB-TOTAL PERSONNEL
COSTS
$3,268,250 $2,099,993 $2,652,975 $552,982 20.84%
Operational Contract Services
$0
$165,900
$309,600
$143,700
46.41%
Parts and Supplies
$3,129
$315,000
$0
($315,000)
0.00%
Insurance Costs
$816,780
$615,524
$0
($615,524)
0.00%
Administrative Other
$334,139
$374,137
$300,308
($73,829)
(24.58%)
Administrative Contract Services
$34,086
$578,044
$0
($578,044)
0.00%
Legal Services
$925,065
$478,963
$475,000
($3,963)
(0.83%)
Marketing and Printing
$0
$5,000
$0
($5,000)
0.00%
TOTAL OPERATING
EXPENSES
$5,381,449 $4,632,561 $3,737,883 ($894,678) (23.94%)
The following two pie charts show expenses for the executive departments. The first chart is by
the departments and the second chart is by category of expense.
Chief Administration
Officer
$219,600
Chief Financial Office
$389,025
Chief Operating
Officer
$340,976
Chief of Safety
$276,648
Executive Office
$864,878
Legal Staff/Gen
Counsel/Labor
Attorney
$1,233,422
Office of Board
Support
$413,334
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 93
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, & BOARD SUPPORT
The Office of the Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the performance of the bus, streetcar
and paratransit systems.
All Board of Directors functions are supported by the Executive Office, including the agenda
development process and distribution of meeting agenda items, minutes, and meeting logistics.
On an annual basis, the HART Board of Directors approves the fiscal year budget, strategic
initiatives and Transit Development Plan (TDP).
Other specific responsibilities of the Executive Office include:
Strategic management initiatives
Policy development and assessment
Agency-wide rule conformance
Planning, identification and review of capital facility and equipment requirements
Contract administration monitoring
Review of the operating and capital budgets
Development and monitoring of both short and long-range plans
Salaries and
Wages
$2,174,569
Fringe Benefits
Salaries/Wages
$478,405
Operational
Contract Services
$309,600
Administrative Other
$300,308
Legal
Services
$475,000
EXECUTIVE DIVISION
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 94
Organizational assessments
Media relations
Internal communications
Promoting transit use
Management of public records requests
Government Relations
Government Relations is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and responding to legislative and
executive initiatives which may affect HART or its goals and policies. Government Relations
maintains an active presence at all levels of government to ensure that HART's interests are well
represented in these various forums. Currently key members of staff work with a consultant on
Government Relation activities. No staff is directly assigned.
.
Priorities:
1. Collaborate with the HART’s Leadership Team on formation of HART’s position on
program development and opportunities contained in any legislation designed to
enhance HART’s current programs, as well as assist the Agency in securing additional
funding.
2. Monitor legislative and executive initiatives which may affect HART or its goals and
policies, and communicate such findings to HART;
3. Advocate HART’s interests and legislative priorities before the Legislature, the
Cabinet, executive and regional federal agencies of Florida;
4. Represent HART to various business and civic organizations to enhance the image of
the Authority; coordinates public relations activities to enhance the image of the
Authority among government agencies, the business community and the general
public.
5. Make congressional visits to Tallahassee during Legislative Sessions, takes the lead in
presenting issues and represents HART’s interests throughout the meetings.
6. Provide advice and research relating to issues important to HART’s governmental
relations and suggest strategies for implementation of policy direction.
Board Support
The purpose of the Board Support Office is to oversee and manage all Board-related matters,
such as Board policies, rules of procedure, appointments to various entities and other Boards.
Board Support Office ensures that meetings are held in accordance with the open meeting Florida
and Robert’s Rules of Order. The Office is a keeper of the Agency's records, including Board
Resolutions and meeting minutes. The Department of Board Support also manages the Agency’s
Public Records Program, Enterprise Document Control library, and records retention.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 95
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Ensure that all HART and THS
Board documents are filed internally
and posted on Sharepoint
CONNECT within 3 business days.
3 business days from
meeting date
Employee Success
Ensure that the information
contained in the Committee and
Board packets is accurate and
reflects the most current data, and
release the packets in a timely
manner in accordance with HART
Board policy
Release the meeting
packets no later than 5
days before the
meeting date.
Customer Experience
Ensure that all presentations and
approved meeting minutes are
uploaded to the website within one
business day of the meeting
1 business day from
meeting date.
Customer Experience
Postal Management and
Administration of Incoming and
Outgoing Mail
Ensure that all
incoming and
outgoing mail is
processed and
distributed every
business day.
Employee Success
Financial
Performance
Disposal of Records in accordance
with the Florida State Disposition
Schedule
Dispose of records
expiring Fiscal Year
2024 before end of
calendar year 2024
Financial Performance
Audit Archives
Identify 75 boxes from
off-site Archive that
have missing
information
Financial Performance
Audit Enterprise Document Control
Library
Collaborate with all
Departments to review
The Enterprise SOPs
for relevance and
accuracy.
Employee Success
Customer
Experience
Digitization of Agency Records
Establish project, set
goals for
implementation for
FY2025.
Employee Success
Financial
Performance
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 96
Department Goal
(Continued)
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Redesign document control to
improve efficiency and allow for
better transparency
Redesign a recording
system for all SOPs
Employee Success
Financial Performance
Provide Records Retention training.
Meet with HR to
incorporate records
retention training in
New Hire orientation
process.
Collaborate with
Florida Department of
State to provide
refresher trainings to
existing employees.
Employee Success
Meet the Organizational goal for
Community Involvement volunteer
hours.
Four hours per fiscal
year quarter.
Employee Success
Track Budget to stay within the YTD
percentage spending vs budgeted.
Bimonthly meetings to
ensure dept is within
YTD %.
Review invoices
monthly for anomalies
and outlier expenses
Review orders for
fiscal responsibilities.
Financial Performance
Provide support for SeeClickFix
portal by mailing out requested
documentation for customers.
Complete request
within five business
days.
Community Value
Customer Experience
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 97
Department Goal
(Continued)
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Meet the Organizational goal for
Community Involvement volunteer
hours.
Four hours per fiscal
year quarter.
Employee Success
Meet the Organizational goal for
employee engagement and wellness
program events.
Three events per
quarter.
Employee Success
Track Budget to stay within the YTD
percentage spending vs budgeted.
Bimonthly meetings to
ensure dept is within
YTD %.
Review invoices
monthly for anomalies
and outlier expenses
Review orders for
fiscal responsibilities
Financial Performance
Provide support for SeeClickFix
portal by mailing out requested
documentation for customers.
Complete request
within five business
days.
Community Value
Customer Experience
Respond to Public Records requests. 85% of clarified
requests answered
within five days.
Community Value
Customer Experience
CEO Communications
Weekly
Newsletters to
the Board
Weekly Newsletters to
Employees
Community Value
Employee Success
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 98
Prior Year Achievements:
Records Retention Audit reviewed database and identified records still in off-site storage,
records ready for disposal, and records in the database requiring more information.
Accepted transitioning of the Agency-wide Public Records System and maintained the
records response rate.
Ensured all HART and THS Board documents were filed internally and posted on the
public- facing websites. Maintained accurate and timely records on the public facing
webpages.
To be consistent with practices of other Government Agencies, staff received approval for
meeting schedules across all Boards and Committees for the upcoming calendar year.
Enhanced communication with outside vendors to streamline assistance needed during
meetings.
Collaborated with HART Board Chair to fill HART Board Committee vacancies and
distributed appointment letters. These appointments afforded thorough review of action
items before final approval by the full Board of Directors as well as gathering multiple
perspectives from the community leaders.
Refreshed the Orientation Manuel and conducted seven orientation sessions for incoming
Board members, with a focus on governance, responsibilities, and fostering a trustworthy,
open relationship with myself as CEO, while enhancing the reputation of the HART Board
as a responsible and accountable entity.
Enhanced Board Engagement and Communication through multiple methods such as
scheduling monthly briefings between the CEO and Board Members, several ride along
opportunities, responding to requests, and more. Offered opportunities for Board Chair,
Board Members, Legislative Delegation, and Community Members to walk through
HART facilities including the Maintenance Facilities, and Marion Transit Center thereby
Building stronger Board engagement and fostering informed decision-making.
Provided industry development opportunities for the Board members by encouraging their
attendance at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) conferences and
a Transit Board-oriented seminar. This promotion of participation in industry conferences
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 99
and training fostered a culture of continuous learning, keeping the Board updated on best
practices, emerging trends, and key issues in public transportation.
Provided support for SeeClickFix portal by mailing out requested documentation for
interested parties within five days.
Provided assistance across the Agency by managing travel arrangements for the members
of the HART Board of Directors, HART Executive and Leadership Team as well as other
Agency staff members, in accordance with the HART travel policy.
Ensured that all incoming and outgoing mail is processed and distributed every business
day.
Closed the fiscal year 2024 29% under budget for overhead agency wide contracts.
Contacted vendors during budgeting process to inquire about possible increases for
necessary expenses such as parking. Review and processed monthly invoices for Agency
wide contracts to ensure fiscal responsibility on flexible expenses.
Managed Agency wide contracts for parking, multifunctional devices, office supplies,
mailing services, records management, and more to ensure that the Agency was best
equipped to aid in the vision.
Collaborated with budgeting staff to ensure that an audio-visual equipment upgrade was
included in the capital 2025 budget through grant funding for better transparency and
record keeping for the community and HART. Procurement timeline was secured to
ensure approval from the Board and completion of the project in FY2025.
Completed all cross training internally within the department to ensure continuity for
business for possible scenarios. In support of succession planning for the Department.
Reviewed the ADA Accessibility Committee By-Laws to ensure Committee
compliance, and for possible revisions to improve the effectiveness of the Committee
Membership for continuity for the future.
Collaborated with the Risk and Human Resources Department to assist with the Worker’s
Compensation Light Duty and Special Accommodation programs by employing fellow
employees with job tasks.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 100
Discovered and fulfilled the need for a Time Tracker document to assist with proper
measurement of time spent on tasks for the Tampa Historic Streetcar Board.
Collaborated with other agency departments on specific projects, such as the RFP for
Vending Services, to share knowledge throughout the Organization.
Under championship of the HART Board Chair Councilmember Viera, HART announced
its “HART For All” campaign with a kickoff event. The “HART For All” campaign,
developed in partnership with community organizations like CARD USF and Lighthouse for
the Blind, aims to educate those living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on how they
can utilize HART services. It features educational guides for HART riders who have autism,
as well as for HART operators and other employees to help them best assist those in need.
The campaign also featured social media collateral, and a series of videos highlighting
autistic riders who rely on HART for transportation.
Held several debriefs with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on HART's grant
applications to improve future submissions and increase funding success. These meetings
provide valuable insights into our applications, helping us refine our approach to align more
closely with federal funding priorities. By strengthening our relationship with the FTA, we
enhance HART's credibility and positioning when applying for critical project funding.
Collaborated with members of the Congressional Delegation in Washington, DC, to secure
funding for key HART initiatives. Successfully facilitated the submission of HART's
Community Project Funding (CPF) request for $4 million to Congresswoman Castor, aimed
at supporting the HART Operations Facility and Resiliency Improvements. This request has
been selected by Congresswoman Castor for inclusion in the House Appropriations
Committee's consideration for Fiscal Year 2025 federal funding.
Throughout the year, staff prioritized building and strengthening relationships between
HART and legislative delegations, recognizing the importance of these connections in
securing support for HART’s initiatives and funding. This included a strategic trip to
Washington, DC, with the HART Board Chair Viera and the Holland & Knight team, where
we engaged with lawmakers, their staff, and key representatives from the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
Continued serving on the Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA) Board of
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 101
Directors, collaborating with transit leaders across Florida to develop strategies for addressing
challenges in the public transportation sector. This involvement is vital for staying informed on
industry trends, building peer relationships, and ensuring HART’s initiatives align with state and
regional transportation goals. It also enhances HART’s influence in policy development, resource
acquisition, and solidifies the agency’s position as a proactive leader in the public transit
community.
Maintained a regular schedule of monthly meetings with FDOT Modal Development
Administrator Ming Gao to discuss funding opportunities for HART. These consistent
discussions are vital for securing the financial resources needed to advance key transit
projects, ensuring that HART can continue to improve services and infrastructure. This
proactive collaboration not only supports HART's long-term sustainability but also plays a
critical role in meeting the transportation needs of the community, enhancing mobility, and
driving economic growth in the region.
Led a session with the HART Leadership Team and the legislative support team from Holland
& Knight to develop federal and state legislative priorities for 2024, with a focus on strategies
to access transportation surtax funds. This collaboration ensures that HART’s legislative
strategy is aligned with our funding goals and priorities.
The HART Team has actively volunteered at Feeding Tampa Bay, dedicating time to
preparing meal packets and serving food to those in need on Saturday mornings at the Trinity
Cafe. This hands-on involvement reflects our ongoing commitment to the community. In
addition to these volunteer efforts, Feeding Tampa Bay reached out for assistance in
addressing transportation challenges to their new warehouse. In response, HART facilitated
the donation of a 2010 40-foot Gillig low-floor bus, approved by both the FTA and the HART
Board of Directors, to establish a transit route for individuals requiring access. To further
support their operations, HART also provided Feeding Tampa Bay staff with vehicle
familiarization training.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 102
LEGAL
HART’s in-house Legal team is comprised of the Director of Legal Services, Deputy Attorney,
Litigation Staff Attorney, and two Paralegals. The focus of the Legal department is general
liability claims arising from personal injury and property damage, some employment and labor
litigation and advanced legal and administrative functions in the areas of contracts, policy &
procedures. The team works diligently to evaluate risks of exposure, anticipated outcomes,
negotiate favorable agreements and provide sound legal advice.
Legal Performance Measures:
Litigation management
Contract Quantity/Quality
Budget vs. Actual spending
Legal Accomplishments:
Lead the charge for Transit Agencies by navigating through HB 256 – the union busting
bill, via the Public Employees Relations Commission and the Department of Labor to
release millions of dollars in federal funding awarded to the agency;
Court Successes: Secured the dismissal of two heavily litigated claims.
Negotiated settlement: Obtained the full release of litigated claim for under $10,000;
Mediation Successes: Negotiated the full release of litigated claim for $10,000.00;
and
Arbitration Success: Secured a Zero Defense Verdict.
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Reduce open liability claims by
5%
Increase Subrogation Recoveries
over last year by 5%
Liability claims and
subrogation recoveries are
collected and reported
each month
Community Value
Customer Experience
Financial Performance
Track the number of new cases
and assignments received by the
legal department
Track to develop a
baseline for future
measurement
Financial Performance
Increase the number of contracts
reviewed and track timeliness of
the reviews. Increasing the
number of contracts while
reducing the time will be a
measurement of efficiency for
future year goals.
Track to develop a
baseline for future
measurement
Financial Performance
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 103
OPERATIONS DIVISION
The Operations Division reports to the Chief Operations Officer (COO). The COO reports directly
to the CEO and plays a critical role as a collaborator and connector across functional departments
to deliver an exceptional end-to-end customer experience. With direct oversight over Operations,
Fleet Maintenance, Facility Maintenance, Streetcar, and Planning and Scheduling activities, the
COO is empowered to transform service delivery into a truly customer-centric operation. The
COO has direct oversight of 67% of the agency budget and 87% of the personnel.
DIVISION STAFFING
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 104
DIVISION FINANCES
Operations Division Adopted Budget
Department Name FY23
Budget
FY24
Budget
FY25
Budget
FY25 vs
FY24
Budget
Variance
% of
Budget
Communications
$156,052
$0
$0
$0
0.00%
Admin Gov't Affairs & Public Relations
$290,576
$246,195
$0
($246,195)
0.00%
Paratransit Administration
$1,933,636
$1,948,667
$3,203,797
$1,255,130
4.20%
Paratransit Operators
$6,861,945
$7,545,824
$7,515,954
($29,870)
9.85%
Service Planning Admin
$928,357
$538,181
$1,241,359
$703,178
1.63%
Streetcar Advertising
$57,500
$57,500
$51,988
($5,512)
0.07%
Svc Implementation Bus Schedulers
$257,116
$616,789
$0
($616,789)
0.00%
Svc Planning Para/Flex Service -
Schedulers
$140,344 $0 $0 $0
0.00%
Fuel, Fluid & Excise Tax - Paratransit
$1,111,970
$1,056,122
$1,086,776
$30,654
1.42%
Facility Maint Bldg/Grounds
$3,178,097
$3,733,518
$3,782,856
$49,339
4.96%
Facility Route Maint Passenger
Amenities
$821,848 $880,692 $902,669 $21,976
1.18%
Facility Adm Passenger Amenities
$538,910
$570,945
$762,289
$191,344
1.00%
Fuel, Fluid & Excise Tax - Bus (032):
$6,657,179
$4,281,632
$4,399,945
$118,313
5.77%
Tires Leased - Bus
$685,979
$523,091
$574,200
$51,109
0.75%
Tires Leased - Paratransit
$1,538,660
$1,471,189
$85,800
($1,385,389)
0.11%
Veh Maint Administration
$1,369,521
$1,434,133
$1,602,718
$168,586
2.10%
Veh Maint Bus Fleet Mechanics
$6,795,678
$6,930,263
$7,110,192
$179,929
9.32%
Veh Maint Technical Services
$0
$0
$109,163
$109,163
0.14%
Health Insurance
$0
$0
$163,197
$163,197
0.21%
Health Insurance Fund
$0
$0
$11,000
$11,000
0.01%
Risk Mgmt Gen Liab Streetcar
$0
$0
$120,000
$120,000
0.16%
Veh Maint Electronic & Communication
$583,957
$603,415
$572,826
($30,589)
0.75%
Veh Maint Paratransit
$0
$0
$1,280,871
$1,280,871
1.68%
Veh Maint Flex Service
$18,443
$10,000
$16,668
$6,668
0.02%
Veh Maint Inventory Ctrl/Materials
Mgmt
$734,241
$777,696
$771,010
($6,686)
1.01%
Veh Maint Non-Revenue
$85,370
$147,491
$169,833
$22,341
0.22%
Veh Maint Paint & Body
$615,756
$482,306
$389,237
($93,070)
0.51%
Veh Maint Servicing & Cleaning
$1,939,466
$1,906,712
$1,971,614
$64,902
2.58%
Streetcar Operations Admin (
$279,739
$313,341
$307,830
($5,511)
0.40%
Streetcar Bldg Maint Facilities
$409,374
$394,017
$442,480
$48,463
0.58%
Streetcar Admin Maintenance Supervisor
$169,844
$219,467
$231,755
$12,288
0.30%
Streetcar Maint Mechanic/Paint & Body
$545,815
$585,151
$533,771
($51,381)
0.70%
Streetcar Maint Servicing/Cleaning
$186,189
$211,216
$181,449
($29,767)
0.24%
Streetcar Operators/Motorman
$1,311,868
$1,383,438
$1,408,339
$24,901
1.85%
Bus Operations Administration
$2,186,082
$1,800,472
$864,967
($935,504)
1.13%
Bus Transit Operations Controllers
$1,926,265
$2,013,816
$2,255,444
$241,628
2.96%
Bus Transit Operators
$29,600,734
$26,323,843
$28,882,989
$2,559,146
37.86%
Bus Transit Supervisors
$1,980,517
$2,033,295
$2,137,667
$104,372
2.80%
Customer Service - Telephone
$1,096,250
$1,254,080
$1,143,865
($110,215)
1.50%
TOTAL OPERATIONS
$76,993,276
$72,294,500
$76,286,520
$3,992,020
100%
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 105
Operations Division Adopted Budget
Expenses FY23
Budget
FY24
Budget
FY25
Budget
FY25 vs FY24
Budget
Variance
% of
Variance
Salaries and Wages $48,194,432 $45,849,431
$48,039,615
$2,190,184
4.78%
Fringe Benefits Salaries/Wages $10,168,382 $10,227,873 $10,822,105 $594,232
5.81%
SUB-TOTAL PERSONNEL
COSTS
$58,362,814 $56,077,304 $58,861,720 $2,784,416
4.97%
Operational Contract Services $3,698,939 $3,788,388 $3,565,346 ($223,041) (5.89%)
Parts and Supplies $5,512,857 $5,694,496 $6,375,979 $681,483
11.97%
Insurance Costs $232,000 $0 $120,000 $120,000
0.00%
Fuel and Oil $7,302,603 $4,969,632
$5,185,628
$4,969,632
100.0%
Administrative Other $284,381 $209,257 $269,329 $60,072
28.71%
Administrative Contract
Services
$455,575 $382,826 $600,985 $218,160
56.99%
Legal Services $14,294 $14,294 $0 ($14,294) (100.00%)
Utilities $710,980 $838,120 $933,177 $95,056
11.34%
Marketing and Printing $61,800 $58,485 $52,229 ($6,256) (10.70%)
Taxes and Fees $357,033 $261,698 $322,127 $60,429
23.09%
TOTAL OPERATING
EXPENSES
$76,993,276 $72,294,500 $76,286,520 $3,992,020
5.52%
*net of employee contribution for healthcare premiums
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 106
Salaries and Wages
$48,039,615
Fringe Benefits
Salaries/Wages
$10,822,105
Operational Contract
Services
$3,565,346
Parts and Supplies
$6,375,979
Insurance
Costs $120,000
Fuel and Oil
$5,185,628
Administrative Other
$269,329
Administrative
Contract Services,
$600,985
Utilities
$933,177
Marketing and
Printing
$52,229
Taxes and Fees $322,127
OPERATIONS DIVISION
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 107
OPERATIONS
The Operations Division is a critical component of our organization, serving a diverse population
of over 1.4 million residents in Tampa, Temple Terrace, and various unincorporated areas within
a vast 1,243 square mile service area. Our core mission is to take people to places that enhance
their lives, aligning with HART's overarching vision of becoming the highest customer-ranked
mobility provider in the Tampa Bay region. This division is structured by three core departments:
Fixed-Route Bus Service, Paratransit Division, and Customer Service. It plays a vital role in
enhancing mobility and accessibility, ensuring that the residents of Hillsborough County can
access education, employment, healthcare, and various essential services while contributing to a
sustainable and eco-friendly transportation ecosystem.
Key Functions:
1. Daily Route Operations and Enhancement: The Operations Division is responsible for
the efficient day-to-day execution of bus operations, ensuring seamless service delivery.
This includes the strategic assignment of buses to operators and routes, guaranteeing
punctual performance, and maintaining optimal schedule frequencies. The division is
instrumental in actively managing and continuously optimizing routes to enhance
operational efficiency, reduce delays, and improve service reliability. By leveraging data-
Admin Gov't Affairs &
Public Relations
$246,195
Paratransit
$12,021,802
Service Planning
$1,154,970
Streetcar Operations
$3,164,131
Customer Service -
Telephone $1,254,080
Facility Maint
Bldg/Grounds
$9,989,878
Veh Maint Administration
$12,292,017
Bus Operations
Administration
$32,171,426
OPERATIONS DEPARTMENTS
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 108
2. driven insights and advanced planning, it ensures that resources are utilized effectively,
minimizing operational costs while maximizing service coverage.
Additionally, the Transportation Division plays a key role in ensuring safety and customer
satisfaction by responding quickly to real-time challenges and adjusting routes as needed.
Through its effective implementation of short-term plans derived from the long-term
strategies of the Service Planning Division, the Transportation Division contributes
directly to the overall success of the transit network and the convenience of the community.
3. Community Accessibility & Inclusive Transportation: We are committed to providing
inclusive and accessible transportation services, including paratransit, to individuals with
disabilities. Our goal is to ensure that everyone in the community has equal access to
reliable transportation options.
4. Real-time Communication: We operate a centralized Operations Control Center that
plays a critical role in coordinating real-time communication with both operators and
supervisors. This enables us to promptly respond to a range of operational challenges,
including incidents, detours, and schedule disruptions. By ensuring continuous monitoring
and instant communication, we can quickly implement necessary adjustments, minimize
service delays, and maintain operational efficiency, ultimately enhancing the rider
experience and ensuring service reliability.
5. Customer Support: Providing comprehensive customer support to assist passengers with
a wide range of needs, including inquiries, feedback, and trip bookings. Our team is
dedicated to delivering prompt and helpful responses, ensuring that passengers receive
accurate information, address any concerns, and have a seamless experience when planning
their journeys. We also actively gather and address feedback to continually improve service
quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring a positive and responsive experience for all
passengers.
6. Daily Safety Oversight and Operator Support: The Transportation Division is
committed to maintaining the safety and well-being of both passengers and operators
throughout daily operations. This commitment includes providing consistent supervision,
mentorship, and coaching for operators to ensure a safe and efficient environment. While
the dedicated Safety Division conducts comprehensive training, the Transportation
Division plays a crucial role in the ongoing enforcement of safety protocols and
procedures. By actively supporting operators, addressing safety concerns in real time, and
reinforcing best practices, the division ensures that safety remains a top priority, fostering
a secure and reliable transportation system for all.
7. Sustainability: Promoting eco-friendly and sustainable transportation options is a core
priority for the Transportation Division, aligning with HART's commitment to both
financial sustainability and environmental responsibility. This includes the integration of
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 109
8. clean energy vehicles, such as electric buses, and the optimization of routes to reduce fuel
consumption and minimize carbon emissions. By fostering sustainable practices, the
division contributes to reducing the environmental impact of transportation while also
ensuring long-term operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. These efforts support
HART’s broader goals of creating a greener, more sustainable transit system for the
community.
9. Continuous Improvement: Embracing a culture of continuous service improvement, the
Transportation Division leverages data-driven approaches, technology enhancements, and
customer feedback analysis to optimize operations and enhance the overall passenger
experience. By utilizing real-time data and advanced analytics, we identify trends, track
performance metrics, and make informed decisions to improve service efficiency and
reliability. Technological innovations, such as route optimization software and predictive
maintenance tools, further enhance operational capabilities. Additionally, actively
analyzing customer feedback allows us to address concerns, refine services, and ensure that
we are meeting the evolving needs of the community. Through these combined efforts, we
are committed to driving sustainable improvements and delivering high-quality, responsive
transit services.
Fixed-Route Bus Service
Our Fixed-Route Bus Service is the foundation of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit
(HART) transportation network, providing essential mobility to the residents of Hillsborough
County. With a fleet of more than 132 buses, we operate over 30 routes across the county,
ensuring service seven days a week, including on holidays. This extensive service network enables
residents to access crucial destinations, including schools, healthcare facilities, government
buildings, and commercial areas.
At the heart of our operations are our 340 dedicated bus operators, who are the lifeblood of our
organization. They are responsible for providing reliable and timely transportation to our
community, offering a safe and welcoming experience to thousands of passengers daily. Each
operator is a highly skilled professional holding a CDL Class "B" license with air-brake
endorsements, a requirement for safely operating the large vehicles that form our fleet. Beyond
this certification, our operators undergo an extensive training regimen to ensure they are equipped
to handle the diverse challenges of their roles.
Our operators receive over 350 hours of combined training, which includes both classroom
instruction and behind-the-wheel experience. This comprehensive training ensures they are not
only proficient in operating heavy-duty vehicles, but also skilled in navigating the complexities of
fare-box systems, route scheduling, and operational procedures within the HART system.
Additionally, all operators are trained in ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) protocols to
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 110
provide appropriate assistance to passengers with mobility challenges, ensuring equitable access
to transportation services for all community members. This training guarantees that operators are
prepared to assist passengers with special needs, whether through helping with boarding or
ensuring compliance with accessibility features on the buses.
Our Bus Operations department doesn’t function in isolation; it thrives through a strong network
of leadership and support. The department is guided by a team of 36 transportation supervisors
and 2 transportation managers, who oversee daily operations and ensure that service delivery
aligns with HART’s high standards. Supervisors are responsible for providing direct support to
bus operators, monitoring performance, addressing operational challenges in real-time, and
ensuring adherence to safety protocols. Managers ensure that the department is consistently
running efficiently, implementing operational improvements, and fostering a culture of safety and
customer service excellence. This leadership team also plays a key role in ensuring that operators
have the tools, resources, and ongoing training to perform their roles to the highest standard.
Furthermore, the department continuously collaborates with other divisions within HART, such as
Service Planning and Safety, to ensure the fixed-route service remains responsive to community
needs, incorporates technological advancements, and maintains a focus on sustainability and
safety. The entire operational framework is built around the goal of delivering reliable, efficient,
and safe transportation to the Hillsborough County community, while also supporting the personal
and professional development of each bus operator.
Within the Bus Operations department, several vital functions are seamlessly integrated to
ensure the success and efficiency of our Fixed-Route Bus Service. These functions are critical in
maintaining service reliability, addressing operational challenges, and ensuring that the needs of
the community are consistently met.
At the core of our operations is the Operations Control Center (OCC), where the essential
functions of Dispatch, Radio, and Scheduling are centralized. This hub of activity is the nerve
center for all real-time communication, providing continuous oversight and coordination of our
transportation network. The OCC facilitates communication not only among bus operators but
also with paratransit operators, streetcar motormen, and other transit personnel, ensuring a
unified response to any operational needs. By consolidating communication across all modes of
transportation, the OCC allows for real-time updates, seamless coordination, and the immediate
dispatch of support resources where needed.
The Dispatch function within the OCC is responsible for monitoring all routes in real time,
identifying any delays, detours, or service disruptions, and taking the necessary actions to ensure
that service is restored or adjusted swiftly. Dispatchers play a pivotal role in the success of the
operation by maintaining constant communication with operators, providing them with updated
route information, and supporting them in the event of unexpected challenges such as traffic
congestion or accidents.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 111
The Radio team manages the communication flow between operators, supervisors, and other
departments, ensuring that vital information is relayed efficiently and without delay. Operators
rely on this constant communication to receive updates about traffic conditions, emergency
responses, and changes in route assignments. The team is responsible for keeping all parties
informed and ensuring that any safety concerns or operational issues are immediately addressed.
Scheduling is also an integral part of the OCC, as it manages the allocation of resources and
ensures that bus routes are operating efficiently and according to their timetables. By analyzing
ridership patterns, peak travel times, and other data, the Scheduling team ensures that buses are
deployed strategically, maximizing coverage and minimizing service gaps. They also play a key
role in adjusting schedules when necessary, ensuring that service disruptions are minimized, and
passengers experience minimal delays.
In addition to the work done at the OCC, our road supervisors are stationed throughout the region
and are directly involved in managing the day-to-day challenges faced in the field. These
supervisors provide essential support to bus operators by responding to incidents on the ground,
such as vehicle collisions, mechanical issues, detours, and customer disputes. Road supervisors
are often the first line of defense when an issue arises, providing immediate assistance to ensure
the problem is resolved quickly and effectively. They are equipped with the tools and authority to
make real-time decisions to minimize service disruptions, whether that involves rerouting buses,
providing temporary detours, or coordinating with other departments for further support.
Our road supervisors also play a crucial role in customer service, ensuring that passengers’
concerns are addressed promptly and professionally. They are trained to manage customer
interactions, assist with boarding and fare collection issues, and ensure that passengers with special
needs receive the appropriate accommodations. Their on-the-ground presence enhances safety and
security, providing reassurance to both operators and passengers that there is always a qualified
individual nearby to address any situation that may arise.
This holistic approach to managing our Fixed-Route Bus Service is designed to create a seamless
experience for both passengers and operators. By integrating real-time communication, centralized
dispatch, proactive field supervision, and immediate response to service disruptions, we ensure
that our transportation network operates smoothly and efficiently, no matter the challenges it faces.
Together, these functions work in harmony to ensure reliability, safety, and operational
efficiency, allowing us to provide Hillsborough County residents with a transportation system that
they can depend on every day. Whether it’s coordinating a detour in real time, addressing a
passenger concern, or managing complex scheduling needs, our team is committed to delivering
high-quality service that enriches the lives of our community members. This collaborative
approach to service delivery is what allows us to meet the evolving needs of our riders and maintain
a transportation network that supports the growth and well-being of Hillsborough County.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 112
HARTPlus Paratransit Service
At HART, our HARTPlus Paratransit service is dedicated to providing inclusive and accessible
transportation solutions that address the diverse needs of our community. With a skilled team of
101 operators, a dedicated manager, and a fleet of 83 vehicles, we deliver reliable and personalized
transit services, ensuring seamless mobility for residents with unique transportation requirements.
What truly distinguishes our service is our commitment to inclusivity. We extend our service area
up to a mile and a half beyond traditional bus routes, reaching residents in remote or underserved
areas. This expansion reflects our unwavering dedication to ensuring no one is left behind,
emphasizing our recognition of the community’s varied needs.
Operating seven days a week, including holidays, we understand that transportation is not just a
convenience but a vital part of daily life. Whether it’s a weekday commute, a medical appointment,
a weekend outing, or a holiday gathering, our paratransit service is a lifeline for individuals with
disabilities or special needs.
Our exceptional drivers are at the core of this service, prioritizing passenger safety and comfort on
every trip. Their commitment to care and professionalism ensures that every journey is not only
efficient but also enjoyable.
This comprehensive paratransit program is a cornerstone of our mission to enhance community
well-being. By expanding our service area, operating every day of the week, and maintaining a
robust fleet, we aim to make transportation accessible and dependable for all residents. This
commitment is transparently reflected in our budget book, reinforcing our dedication to providing
a vital public service that enriches the lives of everyone in Hillsborough County.
Customer Service and Paratransit Eligibility
The Customer Service and Paratransit Eligibility Team is an indispensable part of our organization,
playing a vital role in ensuring seamless transportation services for our community. Committed to
excellence, our call center serves as a crucial link between HART and our riders, acting as a liaison
to the community to ensure their transportation needs are met. Our 15 dedicated customer service
representatives, under the guidance of a customer service supervisor, and a manager are the voice
of our customers. They address concerns, facilitate feedback, and provide essential support, from
assisting first-time riders with route familiarization to offering real-time bus ETA information,
explaining policies and procedures, and managing customer feedback. Beyond these
responsibilities, they take a proactive role in our community by assisting in paratransit trip
bookings for individuals with disabilities and diligently log and track complaints, commendations,
and public comments to continuously enhance customer service and support. They are dedicated
to understanding and navigating the challenges our riders may face, offering assistance and
explanations even in difficult situations. They stand up for our customers, advocating for their
needs and providing a comforting presence, thus improving paratransit services and accessibility.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 113
The Paratransit Eligibility Team, comprising two Paratransit Program Coordinators and a Travel
Trainer, is responsible for interviewing approximately 100 customers monthly to determine
HARTPlus eligibility, providing vital door-to-door transportation assistance to those with
disabilities. Moreover, the Travel Trainer works with students with cognitive disabilities and
seniors, empowering them to ride local routes independently, enriching their lives while
streamlining complaint resolution and feedback handling for efficient service improvement. This
not only enhances their mobility but also enriches their lives.
Key Performance Metrics:
Tracking HART trips allows us the ability to measure our performance and allow us to provide the
best service to our customers.
In FY24, HART Fixed-route buses took 513,452 trips, completing 99.60%, with an average of
42,788 per month.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 114
Goals:
Department Goal Measurement Organizational Goal
Provided training to employees
10 hours of training per
employee
Employee Success
Managed and monitored budget
2% under budget
Financial Performance
Fixed Route on time performance
> 77%
Customer Experience
Prior Year Achievements:
Paratransit FY2023 total ridership stood at 230,930 and it's noteworthy that in FY2024,
we observed a 13% increase, with ridership reaching 261,266.
In FY23 our overall OTP was 80.2%, FY24 we saw an 11.5% increase with our OTP
being 89.5%
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 115
In Fiscal Year 2024, the call center handled a remarkable 211,036 inbound calls, marking
a notable increase compared to the previous year's 208067 calls. The team also logged
7,539customer requests, encompassing items that required escalation, complaints,
inquiries, public comments, and service requests. 88% of these requests were closed
within 10 days.
In FY24, due to innovative strategies, and being good stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars,
the Operations Team finished the fiscal year 8% under the modified budget that was
implemented in August 2024 which was lower than the original FY24 budget by $580,000
resulting in an overall savings of $6.26 million or 9% of the original allocated funds.
Fleet Maintenance
The purpose of the Fleet Maintenance Department is to manage the maintenance and repairs of
rubber-wheeled rolling stock assets. The mission of the Maintenance department is to provide
“Safe, Clean, & Reliable Public Transportation”. The department offers a product and service that
supports all departments. This mission is accomplished through the implementation of our Fleet
Maintenance Plan. The Fleet Maintenance Plan is in compliance, which meets and exceeds
Florida's Department of Transportation Rule-14-90 F.A.C. (Florida Administrative Codes).
The Maintenance department also operates a proactive rather than reactive maintenance program.
It appropriately manages parts, vehicles, and equipment to maintain an effective preventative
maintenance program.
Key Functions:
The Maintenance department comprises Fleet Maintenance, Inventory Control, Training, and
Technical Services. The maintenance department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days
per year, maintaining 132 fixed route buses, 83 paratransit Cutaway vans, and a diverse fleet of 67
non-revenue vehicles (NRV) that are used for a variety of functions throughout HART. The
maintenance department is also responsible for proper fleet management; this includes training,
the TAM program, maintaining asset records in the information system, and the department's
financial management. The Maintenance department utilizes the Trapezes' Enterprise Asset
Management (EAM) system to track and document parts and repairs to fleet assets. The department
strives to stay at the 20% spare bus ratio, adjusting the bus fleet for regular service mark-ups and
modifications.
Key Performance Indicators:
Mean Distance Between Mechanical Failure - Vehicles meet or exceed 15,000 miles between
mechanical failures each month (System Reliability)
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 116
Metric
FY2024 Performance
Goals
Actual Performance Results
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
System Reliability
(MBDF)
15,000 miles for major
mechanical failures
12,032 14,340 10,884 12,676
The MDBF metric experienced fluctuations due to both internal initiatives and external factors.
Beginning with 12,032 miles in Q1 and peaking at 14,340 miles in Q2, we faced a decline to
10,844 miles in Q3. The main factor for this decline was another record-setting summer with
above-normal ambient temperatures. This increased stress on engines, transmissions, and cooling
systems, leading to more frequent mechanical issues. Despite these challenges, we rebounded in
Q4 with an improved MDBF of 12,676 miles, demonstrating our ability to enhance system
reliability through targeted initiatives.
Several factors influenced system reliability and MDBF during FY2024. A significant challenge
was maintaining an aging fleet, which naturally requires frequent repairs and is more prone to
mechanical failures. Older equipment often demands specialized parts that are harder to procure,
leading to more extended downtimes and affecting overall reliability. Additionally, the nationwide
shortage of skilled mechanics intensified this issue. The scarcity of experienced technicians
sometimes resulted in delays for repairs and preventive maintenance tasks, directly impacting on
our ability to maintain high MDBF levels.
Despite these challenges, proactive measures were implemented to mitigate their effects.
Investments in targeted training programs enhanced the skills of our existing maintenance staff,
improving repair efficiency and diagnostic capabilities. We also optimized maintenance schedules
to prioritize critical repairs and preventive measures, contributing to the significant MDBF
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 117
improvement observed in Q4. These efforts underscore our commitment to overcoming industry-
wide obstacles and enhancing system reliability.
Scheduled Maintenance Our goal is to maintain preventative maintenance on-time compliance
above 85%, as both the FTA and FDOT mandate an on-time PM Compliance of at least 80%.
Metric
FY2024 Performance
Goals
Actual Performance Results
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
System Reliability
(MBDF)
15,000 miles for major
mechanical failures
12,032 14,340 10,884 12,676
Metric
FY2024 Performance
Goals
Actual Performance Results
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
PM Compliance
85%
99.67%
95.70%
98.27%
92.47%
Fleet Availability - HART’s Fleet Availability goal is to ensure that 80% of the fixed-route bus
fleet is maintained in an operational state of readiness to meet Hillsborough County's service needs.
Metric
FY2024 Performance
Goals
Actual Performance Results
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Fleet Availability
80%
77.9%
77.7%
79.10%
80%
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 118
Throughout FY2024, fleet availability showed a steady and commendable improvement. Starting
at 77.9% in Q1 and dipping slightly to 77.7% in Q2, we observed an upward trend in the latter half
of the year, with 79.1% in Q3 and 80% in Q4. This consistent increase underscores our
commitment to operational excellence and reflects the effectiveness of our strategies in minimizing
downtime and maximizing service readiness.
Safety and Security - Installed security cameras at 21st Avenue Maintenance campus for safety
and security control.
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Provided Maintenance
employees with proper
resources, and targeted training
to improve their skills
Minimum of 10 hours of
training per employee
tracked quarterly
Employee Success
Managed and monitored budget
general ledger accounts and
grant funding and milestones
Finish FY2025 2% under
budget
Financial Performance
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 119
Department Goal (Continued)
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Ensured the fleet, facilities, and
infrastructure are in a state of good
repair strategically and
systematically
Identify all assets not
meeting the state of
good repair and have all
items evaluated for
needs.
Ensure all items are
represented in key
planning documents to
bring items within
standards
Customer Experience
Prior Year Achievements:
Mean Distance Between Major Mechanical Failures – Fixed Route drove 15,312 miles
in April 2023 between verified Major Mechanical Failure.
FY23 Physical Parts Inventory Accuracy 99.9%.
FTA & FDOT Preventative Maintenance Compliance
o Fixed Route 100%
o Paratransit 99%
Facility Maintenance
The Facilities Maintenance Department is responsible for the safe operation, cleanliness and
dedicated maintenance of all transit centers, park-n-rides, administrative offices and bus repair
facilities at the Hillsborough Transit Authority. The Facilities Department supports all departments
within the Agency using Preventive maintenance and demand response service requests, TAMS
state of good repair, capital project planning. The Facilities Department is on call and available 24
hours a day to provide emergency service and repair for all buildings, structures and equipment.
Facilities provides daily service and repair for employees and the general public requesting service
throughout the County. The service requests we receive include repair and installation of
equipment, building maintenance and repair, shelter and bus stop amenities installation and repair,
mechanical, electrical and plumbing repairs including all types of maintenance support for the
agency’s buildings and equipment. The buildings maintained include our HART Administrative
and Streetcar Facility, HART Operations Maintenance and PM Facility, six (6) Transit Centers
and nine (9) Park-n-ride lots located throughout Hillsborough County. In addition to HART staff,
we use outside contractors and vendors to support building and property related maintenance as
required.
The Facilities Maintenance Department also oversees capital assets, related acquisitions,
installations and rehabilitations.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 120
The Facilities Maintenance Department oversight includes but is not limited to:
The maintenance and repair of over 2,154 bus stops, 650 bus shelters and 850
benches using an internal staff of 14 people and an advertising sub-contractor.
The installation of bus stop shelters, benches and landing pads that meet or
exceed current ADA guidelines.
All regulatory requirements for the handling and disposal of hazardous and
non- hazardous waste.
Permitting and code compliance for new construction projects and installations.
General maintenance and routine repair for the agency’s locations.
Support, maintenance and repair of all shop equipment located at our HM and PM
Facility.
Assist with the new construction projects, acquisition and repair of equipment, facilities
and capital assets to support the agency’s operations.
Rehab and renovation of existing structures and equipment.
Expedite repairs that are Safety related.
Landscaping contractor maintains all buildings, transit centers and other various
locations within the county.
Contractor maintains the Operations and Maintenance for the Compressed Natural
Gas station.
Department Priorities:
The reduction of see click fix requests.
The monthly completion of preventive and reactive maintenance requests.
The timely completion of service requests.
The implementation of sustainable and energy efficient practices that reduce costs,
create a smaller environmental footprint and improve indoor air quality
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
To set effective maintenance
goals that will reduce reactive
maintenance and implement a
robust preventive maintenance
program
Tracked number of on-
demand work orders
compared to the amount of
preventative maintenance
work orders
Customer Experience
Financial Performance
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 121
Department Goal (Continued)
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Maintain safe and secure facilities
that are well lit and free of hazards
and are more cost effective by
preventing accidents
Reduce the number of
workers compensation
cases and safety
complaints
Customer Experience
Employee Success
To remain fiscally responsible and
stay within budget constraints
Finish FY2024 2% under
budget
Financial Performance
To reduce the number of safety
related complaints by
implementing a safety training
program and increasing the
frequency of safety inspections
Reduce the number of
safety related complaints
Customer Experience
Employee success
Prior Year Achievements:
Completed the conversion of a paint booth bay so we could install a new fall protection
scaffolding system. This project included the removal of a paint booth, painting the
walls and adding electrical outlets and new lighting. Once completed they installed the
new fall protection scaffolding system so staff could safely complete CNG tank
inspections.
Sealcoat and Stripe a new CDL training course at the Yukon Park-n-ride for the training
department to conduct in-house training for Bus Operators.
The renovation of our Shop Supervisor’s office in the Heavy Maintenance building was
completed. This project included a new HVAC unit, New LED lighting, paint and
ceiling and the installation of a new epoxy floor.
The storm water piping within the East lot was repaired due to several collapsed
collection boxes and damaged piping. The storm water piping and collection boxes were
repaired to increase the storm water flow and to help prevent flooding during heavy rain
events.
Trillium completed the installation of a 3rd CNG compressor skid for our existing CNG
station. This additional compressor skid will increase the flow rate on Natural Gas and
help reduce the fueling time required to fill our buses.
The removal and installation of a new 55-ton chiller for the operations building located
at 21st Avenue.
Service Works completed a new roof coating system that was installed for the Heavy
Maintenance building. This roof coating system will eliminate roof leaks and provides a
10-year warranty to prevent future issues.
The installation of 15 new shelters at various locations throughout the county by our
Route Maintenance Department.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 122
Streetcar
The Streetcar Division operates on a 2.7-mile fixed guideway track using 9 heritage streetcars
that links Downtown Tampa with the Channel District and Historic Ybor City. The streetcar
provides a safe and viable transportation system for the people the live, work and visit Tampa.
During FY2024 the streetcar set an all-time record for ridership with 1,330,932 trips. The Streetcar
Division is made up of two departments: Streetcar operations and Streetcar Maintenance.
Streetcar Operations
Streetcar Operations contains eighteen (18) Streetcar Motormen (both men and women) who work
seven (7) days a week year-round including holidays. All Motormen are certified by the HART
Training Department to operate the streetcars in an eight-week training program that includes
classroom teaching and 100 hours of driving with Certified Operating Instructor.
Streetcar Maintenance
Streetcar Maintenance contains twelve (12) personnel that are responsible for maintenance and
cleaning of nine streetcars, two substations and 2.7 miles of track and overhead contact system.
The maintenance department is split into two shifts to provide coverage while the system is in
operation.
Department Priorities:
All inspections completed with an 85% on time average.
10,000 miles between major mechanical failures.
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Rebuild the five cars that were
not included in the 2022 rebuild
program. Relates to the company
goals of fleet availability and
system reliability.
Track number of rebuilt
cars
Customer Experience
Provide a minimum of two events
for the streetcar employees to
thank them for their work and
foster team building
Track and report events
Employee Success
Finish FY2025 2% under budget
Quarterly budgets to
actual report
Financial Performance
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 123
Prior Year Achievements:
1,330,932 passengers in 2024. The highest annual ridership in the history of the system.
A CATO Institute study finds the TECO Line Streetcar is the most cost-efficient
streetcar system in the country.
Planning and Scheduling
The Planning and Scheduling Department oversees the service planning and scheduling processes
that implement at least three service changes per year. This department coordinates with local and
regional agencies and bodies of government to advance public transit in Hillsborough County and
Tampa Bay. The Director serves as economist and development specialist for transit services to
plan/cost new and proposed services; develop detailed long and short range service plans; monitor,
evaluate, and report performance in transit service delivery; supervise ridership and service data
collection and reporting to the National Transit Database (NTD); provide key operating statistics
into the annual budget; oversee the development of a minimum of three annual schedules and run
cuts; develop annual divisional budget; and supervise planning and scheduling staff.
Key Functions:
Managing the service changes and scheduling process.
Coordinates with other agencies and staff.
Studies and proposes route changes, capital projects, and monitors performance of all the
transportation services delivered by HART including Bus, Streetcar, Paratransit, and
FLEX.
Performance Measures:
Weekday, Saturday, Sunday total ridership by mode
o Goal: Maintain or Grow ridership on fixed-route and flex service
On-time Performance
o Goal: Achieve 77% OTP for Bus, 99% for Streetcar, 90% for Paratransit
Passengers per revenue mile/revenue hour/trip
o Goal: Increase each
Boardings per bus stop
o Goal: Increase average boardings by stop system-wide
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 124
Priorities:
Harness development permitting process for improvement of facilities for customers on
existing and future service.
Increase Passengers per Revenue Hour, per stop, Average Speed.
Continuously analyze route performance to find efficiencies and service improvements
that are financially sustainable.
Explore funding partnerships with other public and private entities to increase service.
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Grow Ridership on Fixed route
service to pre-Covid ridership of
48,000 riders per day
Daily measurement of
ridership
Financial Performance
On-time performance goals (-2 to
+5 of scheduled time) of 77% for
fixed route, 99% for Streetcar and
90% for paratransit
Measured daily
Customer Experience
Prior Year Achievements:
Over the past year, HART has successfully managed to maintain existing service by
making strategic adjustments to make our operations more efficient by reallocating
resources and making small adjustments to certain routes.
HART made route adjustments to better serve Tampa General Hospital (TGH).
Previously, Route 19 deviated to connect with TGH. Instead, Route 19 now provides a
more direct connection to Downtown Tampa while Route 5 serves TGH directly from the
north, which is where most riders headed to TGH come from.
HART continues to work towards securing funds for capital improvements such as the
Heavy Maintenance Facility replacement and revamping of the 21st Avenue Operations
& Maintenance campus, replacement of diesel buses with CNG buses, fleet
electrification, replacement of aging vans and non-revenue vehicles, and the rebuilding of
aging streetcars.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 125
HART and the City of Tampa have partnered to provide fare-free and more frequent
service for HART’s Route 1 (Florida Ave.) as part of one-year pilot program starting
January 5, 2025. Funding for the pilot program is to be provided by the City of Tampa
and operations, and performance monitoring is to be conducted by HART staff.
HART is moving ahead with the CAD/AVL ITS system and radio replacement project.
This will help modernize both the fleet and the delivery and operations of fixed-route bus
and streetcar service.
HART is also continuing to pursue corridor enhancements associated with the Tampa
Arterial BRT project, while advancing the Design work of the Lower-Cost Alternative
funded by FDOT.
HART is actively working to attract operating funds from partners in the community and
has a preliminary agreement with the City of Tampa for enhanced bus service on the
transit corridor made up by the Florida Avenue and Tampa Street one-way pair,
associated with the BRT project referenced above.
Other initiatives being advanced include Greyhound services using Marion Transit
Center, collaboration on bus transfer station enhancements in and around Downtown
Tampa and Ybor City, and close coordination with transportation partners such as Tampa
Downtown Partnership and Westshore Alliance.
FINANCE DIVISION
The Finance Division reports to the Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer reports
to the CEO and is responsible for the strategic financial plan of HART and the Division serves as
the Chief administrator and advisor on all financial matters and is the primary source of financial
information for the management of the Authority. The three departments in the Finance Division
are: Financial Operations, Budgets and Grants, and Procurement.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 126
DIVISION STAFFING
DIVISION FINANCES
FINANCE DIVISION FY23
Budget
FY24
Budget
Adopted Budget
FY25
Budget
FY25 vs FY24
Budget
Variance
% of
Variance
Salaries and Wages
$2,458,962
$2,297,187
$2,481,260
$184,072
7.42%
Fringe Benefits Salaries/Wages
$505,409
$504,569
$641,377
$136,807
21.33%
SUB-TOTAL PERSONNEL COSTS
$2,964,372
$2,801,757
$3,122,636
$320,880
10.28%
Operational Contract Services
$243,900
$725,200
$769,981
$44,781
5.82%
Administrative Other
$591,882
$341,140
$3,064,534
$2,723,394
0.00%
Parts and Supplies
$3,800
$2,500
$0
($2,500)
0.00%
Administrative Contract Services
$0
$153,250
$153,250
$0
0.00%
Miscellaneous Expenses
$0
$3,000
$0
$0
0%
Utilities
$4,362
$5,000
$5,570
$570
0.1%
Marketing and Printing
$111,875
$112,545
$102,632
($9,913)
1.4%
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
$3,920,191
$4,144,392
$7,218,604
$3,074,213
42.6%
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 127
*net of employee contribution for healthcare premiums
FINANCE DEPARTMENTS Adopted Budget
Dept Name
FY23
Budget
FY24
Budget
FY25
Budget
FY25 vs FY24
Budget Variance
% of
Budget
Accounting & Reporting
$604,503 $462,369 $616,875 $154,506 8.55%
Accounting Accounts
Payable
$175,065 $177,155 $185,885 $8,730 2.58%
Budget/Grants/Fixed
Assets
$534,637 $552,314 $586,137 $33,824 8.12%
DBE/SBE Office
$170,895 $188,195
$233,401
$45,206 3.23%
Financial Operations
$160,236 $180,840 $360,514 $179,674 4.99%
Fixed Costs HART
$230,453 $333,235 $118,608 ($214,627) 1.64%
Flamingo - Regional
Revenue Collection
$453,123 $720,850 $827,014 $106,164 11.46%
Payroll Accounting
$245,314 $240,264 $255,157 $14,893 3.53%
Procurement & Contract
Administration
$592,893 $534,450 $565,847 $31,398 7.84%
Revenue Mgmt & Retail
Sales
$748,984 $751,061 $834,307 $83,246 11.56%
Streetcar Admin/Finance
$4,088 $3,660 $0 ($3,660) 0.0%
Contingency Fund
$2,634,860 $2,634,860 36.50%
TOTAL FINANCE
$3,920,191
$4,144,392
$7,218,604
$439,353
100.00%
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 128
Accounting &
Reporting $616,875
Accounting Accounts
Payable
$185,885
Budget/Grants/Fixed
Assets
$586,137
DBE/SBE Office
$233,401
Financial Operations
$360,514
Fixed Costs HART
$118,608
Flamingo -Regional
Revenue Collection
$827,014
Payroll Accounting
$255,157
Procurement &
Contract
Administration
$565,847
Revenue Mgmt &
Retail Sales
$834,307
Contingency Fund
$2,634,860
FINANCE DEPARTMENTS
Salaries and Wages
$2,481,260
Fringe Benefits
Salaries/Wages
$641,377
Operational Contract
Services $769,981
Administrative Other
$3,064,534
Administrative
Contract Services
$153,250
Utilities
$5,570
Marketing and
Printing $102,632
FINANCE DIVISION
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 129
Financial Operations
The Financial Operations Department is responsible for the financial books and records of the
Authority. This includes Payroll functions, Accounting, and retail sales. In addition, Financial
Operations is responsible for the preparation of all financial reports including the audited Annual
Comprehensive Financial Report. The Accounting Department administers the treasury
management function, including security of all revenue received, management of accounts
receivable, accounts payable, management of fare media, placement and management of all
investments, and supervision of the revenue center, as well as preparation of projected cash flows.
Key Functions:
Track funds owed to suppliers and ensure timely payments to suppliers and vendors.
Ensure payments to suppliers are approved.
Ensure legitimacy and accuracy of any payment originating from the business to any
supplier/vendor.
Identified critical cost-effective issues regarding the Flamingo fares operation and are
working towards resolution.
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Minimum of 10 hours of related
training for each team member.
Once a staff member is up to
speed on their job, cross-
training within the department.
Track training received
quarterly
Employee Success
Ensure the accuracy of all
financial data
Track monthly
reconciliation process for all
balance sheet items and
complete adjustments and
corrections each month
Financial Performance
Timely and relevant financial
performance
Adherence to the month end
closing calendar, ensure for
proper month end closings
on-time to generate
executive summaries
Financial Performance
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 130
Budgets and Grants
The Budgets and Grants Department is responsible for budget development for HART and the
THS Streetcar, operating and capital budgets as well as providing budget feedback for
departments. In addition to budgets, the department is responsible for applying for grants at the
Federal, State and Local level; monitoring and reporting on all grant related activities; grant
compliance and grant draw downs. The department is responsible for managing fixed asset
accounting, and National Transit Database reporting.
Key Functions:
Manages the agency’s grants administration, grants accounting, budgeting, and fixed
assets operations.
Prepares and administers annual budgets.
Performs various budget related analyses, and routinely monitoring and maintaining
budget systems.
Applies for and manages federal, state, and local grant programs and initiatives for the
agency. Post-award grant tracking and compliance oversight.
Serves as the agency’s primary contact with federal, state, and local agencies for securing
grant funds for the agency.
Develops capital program budgeting, which includes a comprehensive listing of agency
needs and development of funding strategies and implementation actions.
Develops the required transit inputs for the metropolitan planning process, including the
Unified Planning Work Program, Transportation Improvement Program, and State
Transportation Improvement Program. Initiates transfer of federal funds at the proper
time to ensure federal grant award. Coordinates between three agencies: Federal Transit
Authority (FTA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Florida Department
of Transportation (FDOT).
Maintains and reconciles budget. Processes budget adjustments as needed. Analyzes
budget variances and recommends corrective actions. Researches issues related to
revenue, expenses, and employee budgets.
Provides budget software training and maintenance.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 131
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Minimum of 10 hours of related
training for each team member.
Once a staff member is up to
speed on their job, cross-training
within the department.
Track training received
quarterly
Employee Success
Provide initial training and
monthly tracking of budgets to
actuals across the agency and
identify areas of overspending.
Track and report
quarterly
Financial Performance
Invoice or draw down grants
within 60 days of expenses.
Communicate with departments
on balances quarterly. Adherence
to the month-end closing
calendar.
Track and report
quarterly
Financial Performance
Prior Year Achievements:
Successfully completed the Ad Valorem process that increased local contributions by
6.6%.
Streetcar, TECO Historic Streetcar and HART operating, and capital budgets were
approved on time.
Executed 5 Federal Grants awarding more than $30M.
Successfully completed $47M in Federal draw requests that offset expenses.
Successfully completed financial portion of 5-Year Plans for City of Tampa and
Hillsborough County – submitted and approved by governing agencies for a total 5-year
commitment of $580K.
Set up and executed 9 FDOT Grants – awarding $12.2M to the agency.
Submitted 23 state grant invoices totaling $7.1M.
Procurement
The Procurement Department is responsible for supporting the operations and capital
improvements of HART by procuring materials, parts, supplies, equipment, fuel, utilities and
services in accordance with HART Procurement Policies and Procedures, and appropriate federal,
state, and grant requirements. The department maintains bidders’ lists, vendor files, vendor
directories, procurement solicitations, and contracts.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 132
Key functions:
HART has a centralized procurement department responsible for making all HART procurements
in accordance with HART’s Procurement Manual, Federal and State requirements. The
procurement department ensures purchases are at a fair and reasonable price.
Performance Measures:
Procurement has a project savings goal of 5%.
Increase the number of suppliers.
Supplier performance rating.
Purchases in budget and time.
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Minimum of 10 hours of related
training for each team member.
Once a staff member is up to
speed on their job, cross-training
within the department.
Track training received
quarterly
Employee Success
Advise Project Managers of
expiring contracts – give six-
month lead time
Quarterly reports to the HART
board of directors
Report monthly/quarterly
Customer Experience
Build a new practice of
incorporating Safety Data Sheets
(SDS) and include Safety and
Security as a stakeholder in
construction projects
Deadline for
implementation is March
31, 2025
Customer Experience
Prior Year Achievements:
The procurement department processed 2,804 purchase orders totaling $32,431.130.
Thirty-eight contracts were awarded with an NTE of $ 22,948,185.
Procurement supports the Authority’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and
Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program goals by including the DBE/SBE office with
upcoming opportunities for goal consideration. Procurement has participated in meeting
or exceeding goals set.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 133
Procurement communicated weekly procurement report and provided contract
expiration and open purchase order reports quarterly.
Parts reorder process is updated to ensure proper approvals are obtained before parts are
ordered.
Workplace training is conducted with all new HART staff.
P-card training and monitoring is conducted by procurement.
Completed 52 web quotes for inventory replenishment.
Completed Standard Operating Procedures and Work Instructions for the Best Value
proposal selection process. Multiple solicitations have been conducted using Best Value.
DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program coordinators report directly to the Chief
Financial Officer. The DBE Coordinator assists DBE’s, SBE’s, WBE’s, and other small businesses
to maximize opportunities in their participation in HART procurements.
DBE coordinators work with procurement to achieve the agency goals. The goals for 2025 are:
13.9% for DBE
3.5% for SBE
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 134
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
Under the general direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Administrative Officer
(CAO) plans, directs, manages, and oversees the activities and operation of human capital
management, employee and labor relations, marketing and communications, information
technology, risk management, project management office and includes the development of
effective strategies that support the authority’s strategic plan.
DIVISION STAFFING
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 135
DIVISION FINANCES
Administration
Division
FY23
Budget
FY24
Budget
Adopted Budget
FY25
Budget
FY25 vs FY24
Budget Variance
% of
Variance
Salaries and Wages
$3,597,620
$3,468,977
$3,918,912
$449,935
11.48%
Fringe Benefits Salaries/Wages
$912,876
$1,090,560
$880,175
($210,385)
(23.90%)
Health Care
$10,759,670
$11,835,919
$13,551,869
$1,715,950
12.66%
SUB-TOTAL PERSONNEL COSTS
$15,270,166
$16,395,457
$18,350,956
$1,955,500
10.66%
Operational Contract Services
$3,386,681
$3,352,193
$3,345,060
($7,134)
(.21%)
Parts and Supplies
$86,388
$112,730
$63,307
($49,423)
(78.07)
Administrative Other
$164,065
$234,985
$281,696
$46,711
16.58%
Administrative Contract
Services
$1,026,792 $1,134,414 $1,243,294 $108,880 8.76%
Insurance Cost
$3,841,649
$2,639,540
$3,205,402
$565,861
17.65%
Utilities
$298,000
$274,557
$287,557
$13,000
4.52%
Legal Services
350,000
309,060
25,000
($284,061)
(1136.25%)
Marketing and Printing
$360,326
$121,306
$322,982
$201,675
62.44%
Taxes and Fees
$1,250
$1,250
$1,250
$0
0.0%
TOTAL OPERATING
EXPENSES
$24,785,317 $24,575,492 $27,126,503 $2,551,010
9.40%
*net of employee contribution for
healthcare premiums
Administration Division Adopted Budget
Dept Name FY23
Budget
FY24
Budget
FY25
Budget
FY25 vs FY24
Budget Variance
% of
Budget
Health Insurance Fund
$10,911,517
$12,033,919
$13,669,572
$1,635,652
50.39%
Risk Mgmt Gen Liab FY18
forward
$4,124,649 $2,917,073 $2,520,176 ($396,897) 9.29%
Risk Mgmt Gen Liab & WC
Staff (162):
$294,058 $312,551 $308,341 ($4,210) 1.14%
Worker's Compensation-
FY18 and forward
$0 $0 $640,523 $640,523 2.36%
Risk Mgmt Gen Liab
Streetcar
$80,000 $85,000 $0 ($85,000) 0.00%
Community/Business
Engagement
$419,275 $214,173 $512,919 $298,746 1.89%
ESMS-Environmental
/Sustainability
$553,701 $556,669 $560,713 $4,043 2.07%
Human Resources
$1,997,650
$2,522,957
$2,461,374
($61,582)
9.07%
Admin Gov't Affairs &
Public Relations
$0 $0 $144,000 $144,000 0.53%
Marketing &
Communications
$617,896 $347,897 $695,706 $347,808 2.56%
Project Management
$713,066
$730,388
$757,758
$27,370
2.79%
Technology & Innovation
$5,073,506
$4,854,864
$4,855,420
$556
17.90%
Total Administration
$24,785,317
$24,575,492
$27,126,503
2,550,453
100.00%
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 136
Salaries and Wages
$3,918,912
Fringe Benefits
Salaries/Wages
$880,175
Health Care
$13,551,869
Operational Contract
Services
$3,345,060
Parts and Supplies
$63,307
Administrative Other
$281,696
Administrative
Contract Services
$1,243,294
Insurance Cost
$3,205,402
Utilities
$287,557
LEGAL SERVICES
25,000
Marketing and
Printing $322,982
TAXES AND FEES
$1,250
ADMINISTRATION DIVISION
Health Insurance
Fund $13,669,572
Risk Mgmt Gen Liab
FY18 forward
$2,520,176 Risk Mgmt Gen Liab
& WC Staff (162):
$308,341
Worker's
Compensation-FY18
and forward
$640,523
Community/Business
Engagement
$512,919
ESMS-Environmental
/Sustainability
$560,713
Human Resources
$2,461,374
Admin Gov't Affairs &
Public Relations
$144,000
Marketing &
Communications
$695,706
Project Management
$757,758
Technology &
Innovation
$4,855,420
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENTS
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 137
Project Management
The Project Management Office (PMO) serves as the central hub for overseeing and coordinating
projects related to bus transit systems while also maintaining a strong focus on compliance.
The purpose of our PMO is to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and compliance of our bus
transit services, thereby benefiting both our community.
The specific objectives, functions and responsibilities of Project Management Office at
Hillsborough Transit Authority can include, but not limited to:
1) Project Planning: Develop and execute project plans for bus transit initiatives, ensuring
alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
2) Budget Management: Monitor project budgets, allocate resources, and track
expenditures to ensure projects remain within budget constraints.
3) Schedule Management: Create and manage project schedules, ensuring that projects are
completed on time and meet established milestones.
4) Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks associated with bus transit projects to
minimize potential disruptions or setbacks.
5) Stakeholder Communication: Facilitate communication among project stakeholders,
including government agencies, transit authorities, contractors, and the public, to ensure
transparency and collaboration.
6) Quality Assurance: Implement quality control measures to ensure that bus transit
projects adhere to established standards and deliver high-quality results.
7) Procurement and Contract Management: Collaborate with the procurement
department for vendors and contractors involved in bus and rail transit projects.
8) Performance Monitoring: Track the performance of bus and rail transit services,
infrastructure, and systems to identify areas for improvement and optimization.
9) Compliance and Regulatory Adherence: Ensure that all projects comply with relevant
regulations, safety standards, and environmental requirements.
10) Reporting and Documentation: Maintain comprehensive records and produce regular
reports on project status, progress, and outcomes.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 138
11) Continual Improvement: Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency
enhancement within bus and rail transit projects and operations.
12) Strategic Planning: Align project activities with the long-term strategic goals and vision
of the transit agency or organization.
In summary, the PMO contributes to our overarching mission at Hillsborough Transit Authority,
and serves as the central nucleus for the planning, execution, and oversight of transit projects. Our
primary objective is to enhance transit services, infrastructure, and overall efficiency, ultimately
benefiting our community and passengers.
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Minimum of 10 hours of related
training for each team member.
Once a staff member is up to
speed on their job, cross-training
within the department.
Review Annually
Employee Success
Participate in volunteer events to
demonstrate dedication to
community engagement
Participate in two events
per employee
Community Engagement
Adhere to budget
Stay on budget
Financial Performance
Achievement of annual
Disadvantaged Business
Enterprise (DBE) participation of
13.9%, and Small Business
Enterprise (SBE) of 3.5% in
projects. This commitment
fosters community value.
Monitor DBE and SBE
participation during project
life cycle
Community Value
Prior Year Achievements:
Professional and Continuing Education
It is noteworthy to emphasize the accomplishments in professional and continuing education
that have been achieved by the PMO. It is worth mentioning that two members have
successfully attained recertification in Florida Department of Transportation Temporary Traffic
Control Advanced Course. All members of the PMO are Project Management Professional
(PMP) certified.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 139
Driveway and Gate Rehabilitation Project
The gate access road and gate which is located at the south east corner of the HART Operations
Campus would be widened so that the opening can accommodate bus traffic from all directions,
increasing versatility. Work includes replacing the gate to match newly installed gate system on
other entrances and exits on campus. Construction of this project will be advertised in the
upcoming fiscal year.
TECO Historic Street Car Rehabilitation
Phase I is complete, and Phase II has started. Car No. 431 has been shipped to the vendor for
rehabilitation. This project involves the rehabilitation of the next five (5) of HART streetcars,
431,433,435,436, and 1976, rebuilding them to “Like-New" condition. This "State of Good
Repair" rebuild will extend the service life of these nearly 20-year-old vehicles by an additional
20 to 25 years, enhancing reliability for both customers and employees.
Streetcar Cross Tie Replacement [Phase 2]
The PMO and Streetcar departments have collaborated to implement a phased plan for replacing
the railway ties. In Phase 1, the primary objective was to replace 1,570 standard crossties and
associated plates at various locations along the streetcar line. Specifically, this included the
lengthier single-track sections and two critical switches where the replacement of old, deteriorated
ties was deemed necessary. The scope of work is ready to proceed, with these repairs scheduled to
be advertised in the next fiscal year.
Environmental
HART was officially approved for inclusion within the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (FDEP) framework and successfully executed field activities pertaining to Area of
Concern-2 (AOC-2).
Basic Transit Infrastructure (BTI) Program
The BTI Program has successfully accomplished the installation of 58 shelters and the completion
of 7 construction projects. In partnership with developers and FDOT, 39 bus stops were
constructed.
FDOT District 7 - Discretionary Grant
Prepared and submitted a total of seven Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
Discretionary Grant proposals. Among these submissions, three have received approval, while one
is currently pending approval. The approved grants are as follows: FDOT D7 Discretionary Grant
for the Emerging Technologies Project—BTI, the Seal Coating Project, and the Flamingo
Enhancements App. The Flamingo Limited Use Cards grant application is currently awaiting
approval.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 140
Marion Transit Center
The design for the Marion Transit Center is underway. With new leadership, the vision has
changed for the space and the plans are being modified to reflect the changes. Once design has
been approved, the project will be advertised for construction.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Compressor Infrastructure
This project added CNG Duplex-Compressor Station No. 3 at HART's 21st Avenue facility. The
3rd CNG compressor station is essential to provide the operational assistance needed for the
expanding fleet of CNG-powered transit buses. This project is completed and accepted.
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL)
In 2007, HART implemented the OrbCAD system, which integrated CAD/AVL capabilities with
Motorola voice and data communications. Over time, this system had become outdated, and its
components have reached the end of their useful life. To address this, HART is investing in a new
CAD/AVL system that will modernize operations. The upgraded system will enable real-time
communication between dispatchers and operators, providing supervisors with detailed real-time
overview of vehicle locations and statuses. This technology will enhance HART’s ability to
respond to service disruptions, ensuring efficient and reliable operations for both operators and
passengers.
Unleaded upgrade at 21st Avenue
This project is to provide new fuel pumps that will connect to a new existing 12,000-gallon above-
ground unleaded compatible fuel tank. This will include a temporary canopy-protected fueling
station site which will be located on the east side of the Preventative Maintenance building. The
fueling station shall consist of dual sided fuel dispensers, and a connection to the existing unleaded
compatible fuel tank, which must tie into the existing HART Fleetwatch system. Construction of
this project will be advertised in the upcoming fiscal year. This fueling area will be incorporated
into the New Fleet Service Facility design and construction as part of the 21st Avenue Master Plan.
Risk
HART’s Risk Management team coordinates and monitors the claims function for general
liability, vehicle liability and property insurance programs. This department works with a third-
party administrator for the workers compensation program from notice of injury, medical
treatment, light duty potential and scheduling through the conclusion of claims. In addition to our
self-insured programs, the Risk Department also procures all insurance coverage for the agency,
including excess workers’ compensation, cyber, crime, pollution, employment practice and public
officials, property and inland marine policies. This department works in conjunction with
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 141
Operations, Safety and Training to develop and implement accident prevention and loss control
methods and procedures. The Risk Management Department ensures that subrogation
opportunities are fully developed and the recovery funds from HART’s insurers have been received
to reduce our liabilities within our self-insured programs.
Risk Management’s Performance Measures:
Loss Ratio
Claim Duration
Cost per Claim
Claim Closure rate
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Reduce open liability claims by
5%
Increase Subrogation Recoveries
over last year by 5%
Liability claims and
subrogation recoveries are
collected and reported
each month
Community Value
Customer Experience
Financial Performance
Risk Management’s Accomplishments:
HART Risk received 350 liability claims in FY2024, 255 of which are now closed. Our
10-year average for claims received per year is 727. This 65% reduction from that
average is a testament to our Adjusters responsible administration of our liability claims,
as well as Management’s aggressive stance on combatting frivolous claims.
HART Risk received 47 workers’ compensation claims in FY2024, 31 of which are now
closed. Our 10-year average for workers’ compensation claims received per year is 69.
This 32% reduction from that average has been accomplished by the tireless efforts of our
Workers’ Compensation Coordinator and Managements philosophy of guaranteeing our
employees receive the care they need after a work-related injury, and ensuring the
Workers’ Compensation and Light Duty program are used appropriately.
HART experienced a 70% or $41,809.35 reduction in workers’ compensation
assessments from 2018 to present.
HART Risk has successfully recovered over $151,000 for damage to HART assets in
FY24.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 142
Marketing & Communications
The Marketing and Communications department encompasses several functions and areas of
expertise, including strategic marketing, advertising, creative services, media relations and social
media.
The marketing and communications department is responsible for:
Generating revenue primarily through bus and shelter advertising.
Keeping customers informed of service changes and upcoming projects;
Building transit ridership by educating new and potential customers about the benefits of
transit;
Protecting the reputation of HART and inspiring confidence in HART as a responsible
steward of taxpayer funds.
Keeping employees informed about company changes and news, and educating and
inspiring employees to provide excellent customer service.
Awards:
Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA)
Title of Winning Entry: HART For All campaign - 1st Place (Best of the Best),
Category: Sustaining Campaign
Title of Winning Entry: Autism Spectrum Disorder Inclusion Guide - 1st Place,
Category: Print
American Graphic Design Awards
Title of Winning Entry: African Americans Who Transformed Transportation Bus Wrap -
Category: Vehicle Graphics
Title of Winning Entry: HART for All Logo - Category: Branding
Title of Winning Entry: Streetcar Assessment Brochure - Category: Annual Report
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 143
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Promote Flamingo Fares, Paper
Pass Elimination, and Route 1
Fare Free campaigns through
aggressive marketing tactics in
support of the adoption rate of 3%
quarterly growth
3% quarterly increase
Community Value
Support employee community
engagement and community
volunteer opportunities with
marketing and communications
collateral (flyers, posters, palm
cards)
Ensure engagement and
volunteer opportunities
are created and posted a
minimum of one week
before the event
Employee Success
In coordination with HR, assist
with revision of the survey and
redesign the questionnaire for
FY2025 survey; communicate the
result of the survey to the
employees, the Board members
and the community and partner
with other departments in
identifying areas for improvement
of the employee satisfaction levels
and develop programs to address
concerns.
Creation and promotion
of FY2025 Employee
Survey and results of the
survey to employees, the
Board and the
community
Employee Success
Contract administration of our
advertising and marketing revenue
generation and growth for HART
Monthly meetings with
advertising vendors to
discuss performance and
adjust campaigns as
needed.
Review monthly sales
reports and ensure AP
receives remittance checks
Financial Performance
Set a baseline for Community
Sentiment of the Authority
Actively engage the public
in new and creative ways,
including a regularly
produced HART news
web series, and a new
HART podcast. Both will
be available online and
promoted through HART
digital media channels.
Community Value
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 144
Prior Year Achievements:
The Marketing and Communications team assisted with nearly 70 outreach projects and
campaigns in support of HART’s mission, including: regular service changes, the HART For
All campaign, Flamingo Fares – Contactless Payment campaign, Black History Month, Rider
Advisory Committee collateral, Art on HART, Hurricane Helene and Milton service
information, OneHART Celebrations event collateral, Hispanic Heritage Month, Streetcar
Fare or Free outreach and survey campaign – which included extensive community outreach
both in-person and digitally, as well as a public meeting.
The Marketing and Communications team, as project manager of the revenue generation
contracts, continues to maintain the exterior bus advertising contract, which will result in
projected revenue for HART of nearly $6M over the life of the contract, as approved by the
HART Board this FY. The contract will also provide an expansion of HART’s advertising
assets into the digital realm within the coming year - providing “infotainment” kiosks
providing real-time service information at HART and the TECO Line Streetcar customer
facilities.
Information Technology
The Information Technology Department (IT) is responsible for overseeing, managing and
maintaining all IT infrastructure at HART. This includes all network, Fiber, Telcom, servers,
computer, application, disaster recovery and business continuity planning, cyber security and
governance inside HART. This includes our vast Wi-Fi and mobile app infrastructure.
IT partners closely with many departments to get the best software outcomes for their needs. Large
enterprise application we have are Enterprise Resource Planning partnered with Finance, Fleet
Maintenance Partnered with Maintenance, Boardroom technology, surveillance systems and Real-
Time Bus Information system, Fleet scheduling partner with Operations, HRIS partnered with
Human Resources. In addition, all of these systems require custom integrations to each other that
is handled in-house.
IT manages a physically large Wi-Fi network both in our campuses and mobility in our buses as
they cover the entire county, which is slightly smaller than the state of Rhode Island. This would
also include our customer-facing phone apps that need to be available throughout the network.
IT goes through many system audits of our systems and supports the agency in their audits from a
technical standpoint. This is both for our onsite applications and our hosted SAAS applications as
they all require auditing.
IT supports a private cloud in our datacenter that allows us to run many enterprise applications and
get the benefits of cloud hosting and storage without the high cost associated with them. This
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 145
flexible infrastructure allows us to right size our application backbone to meet the needs of the
organization. IT manages a multi-campus network with many different network connectivity
intersects. Each campus has a local network and is connected with other campuses by fiber or
microwave connections. These connections also support our VOIP Telcom network that is
available 24/7. IT manages the technical infrastructure in a way that supports business continuity
in the event of a disaster in a manner that exceeds what is required by the business. This has been
tested and audited many times and proven in numerous hurricanes.
Department Priorities:
Achieved an average of greater than 97 percent up time (excluding scheduled maintenance
windows) by creating and maintaining an improved IT infrastructure.
Helpdesk tickets have been resolved or finalized within three (3) working days; 85 percent
were completed at a satisfactory level.
Archiving of all Authority data within 24 hours has been created and the infrastructure is being
maintained.
Patching Rate - Monitoring the success rate of server patch deployments is critical for ensuring
that your systems are well-patched and up to date.
Manage application licensing to get the best benefit for the price.
Continue training to keep up to date on industry changes.
Information Technology completed the deployment of a new voice routers (cubes) to support
upgrading our phone system infrastructure.
Information Technology and our Executive Office & Board Support team completed a web
form for patrons to send feedback to HART’s board members on HART’s website.
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Maintenance and support of
Enterprise Infrastructure
Achieved an average of
greater than 97 percent up
time (excluding scheduled
maintenance windows) by
creating and maintaining an
improved IT infrastructure.
Customer Experience
Support the deployment of the
new CAD/AVL project
Support the design and
deployment in FY25
Customer Experience
Radio System Upgrade
Support the design and
deployment in FY25.
Customer Experience
Upgrade End of life (EOL)
employee hardware
Continue the replacement of
employee laptops that are
end of Life (EOL) in FY25
Q4
Employee Success
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 146
Department Goal (Continued)
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Enhance Cyber Security
Complete Multifactor
Authentication
enrollment bargaining
employees in FY25 Q4
Financial Performance
Manage Software and hardware
costs effectively in the FY 25
budget
Not to exceed 3 - 7 %
variance
Financial Performance
Support the AV Board Room
System Upgrade
Support the upgrade of
the AV hardware in
FY25 Q2
Community Engagement
Prior Year Achievements:
Completed the inventory process in preparation for year-end close with the Finance
Department.
Completed subsidiary ledger fiscal year End close with the Finance Department.
Completed the ADP integration (eligibility data) to our new FLMA provider.
Completed deploying Multifactor authentication (MFA) which will adds a layer of cyber
security protection to the sign-in process for HART’s non-bargaining employees.
Completed the IT requirements and scope for the CAD/ AVL fixed route and Streetcar
upgrade project with the management department.
Completed the refreshing of HART’s Data Center (21st Ave & YBOR) uninterruptible
power supply (UPS) symmetry infrastructure.
Completed the Upgrade of our Trapeze EAM application, EAM is used by HART’s
maintenance department for parts inventory and work orders.
Completed the refresh of HART’s Radio hut uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
infrastructure. HART’s Radio hut supports communications for our bus operators, road
supervisors and facilities maintenance employees.
Completed the CAD/ AVL requirements / scope for Para / Flex with the project
management department.
Completed the pilot with FDOT and The City Tampa testing Traffic Signal Priority
(TSP) pilot project on 13 fixed route buses for the initial pilot. The IT team will be
working on rolling out the TSP to our fix route buses which will give HART TSP (Traffic
Signal Priority) on 325 road intersections throughout the county.
Streetcar interlock security camera system.
The deployment of Multifactor authentication (MFA) to support any remote connections
to HART’s infrastructure.
Additional Kiosk PCs and printers at our 21st Ave to support additional access to Emails,
HR and ADP for HART’s employees.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 147
The deployment of new security certs to HART’s web applications (Phone Systems,
Websites and VPN clients).
Community & Business Engagement
The purpose of the Community Engagement department is to create, cultivate, and leverage
relations between HART and the community. These outreach activities should directly accomplish
HART success plan outcomes of service productivity and community experience by targeting
strategic and diverse audiences. Outreach is a vital form of marketing to represent the HART brand
at events from a grassroots perspective. Community engagement also involves managing
stakeholder partnerships across HART by serving as the point-of-contact to keep the connection
positive.
Community & Business Engagement priorities are to educate, inform and motivate the public to
try transit, and retain existing riders. Generates leads for community events and establish outreach
targets for new and sustaining relationships. Develop diverse relationships of the agency with the
intention to foster strategic partnerships with community stakeholders, as well as educate
Hillsborough County organizations and the general public about HART.
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Build community awareness of
HART services by increasing
participation in community/
business events and maximizing
impact at those events by
enhancing display materials and
other messaging tools
A minimum of 20 events
per year. These should be
noteworthy events for
quarter for the purpose of
education and awareness
Community Engagement
Identify new contacts for
partnership opportunities with
community ambassadors,
document contacts and track
follow-ups.
10 notable partnerships
within the community FY25
Calendar year. Notable is
defined as the benefit to
HART and the community.
Customer Experience
Conduct public meetings and
outreach in conjunction with
HART service changes and
modifications.
Quarterly, conduct outreach
and general input on service
changes and modifications.
Public Involvement
Community Engagement
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 148
Department Goal
(Continued)
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Foster an interdepartmental
working relationship throughout
HART
Meet Bi-monthly with
HART internal
communication employee
programs
Employee success
Prior Year Achievements:
Activities attended 129
People engaged 8,088
People reached 37,511
HART staff also hosted extensive public outreach for the Paper Fare Card Elimination &
Fare Structure Change at 11 transit/transfer centers from August -September 2024. Flyers
and comments cards were also distributed at additional HART outreach events.
Human Resources
The Human Resources Department is committed to providing trusted strategic leadership to the
organization, in alignment with business objectives, to foster a dynamic, inclusive, innovative
culture where talented and dedicated people are proud to work toward a common mission.
The Human Resources Department is responsible for supporting human capital needs through
talent acquisition, compensation & classification, benefits management, employee engagement, &
performance management. The Human Resources Department is also responsible for labor and
employee relations program and the Human Capital System Management System (HCMS).
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Increase employee engagement
in the community
Provide 5 opportunities for
volunteer events each
quarter
Employee Success
Community Engagement
Increase professional
development
Provide 10 hours of
training per employee
Employee Success
Promote healthy living and
increase the usage of the
wellness program
Provide 3 wellness events
per quarter
Employee Success
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 149
Prior Year Achievements:
142 employees successfully hired, filling vital roles for the organization.
Held 8 employee engagement events to boost employee morale and cohesiveness.
Employee Engagement Survey Participation.
SAFTEY DIVISION
The Safety Division reports to the Chief Safety Officer. The Chief of Safety reports directly to the
CEO and is responsible for working closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Board of
Directors and Executive Leadership Team to improve and drive the overall development,
implementation, and maintenance of Authority wide safety programs; including system safety,
hazard management, fire/life safety, employee, construction, industrial and environmental safety
policies and programs. The Chief of Safety also ensures coordination and cooperation between the
Office of Safety and all other HART Departments. The Chief of Safety has the authority and
responsibility to suspend unsafe operations in order to protect employees, the public and property;
may represent the Authority to federal agencies, local groups/organizations, professional
associations, and other similar groups. This position serves as the Authority's Fire Marshal and is
responsible for the providing all training for the agency.
DIVISION STAFFING
DIVISION FINANCES
Safety Division Adopted Budget
Department Name
FY23
Budget
FY24
Budget
FY25
Budget
FY25 vs FY24
Budget Variance
% of
Budget
Safety & Security
$2,754,178
$2,499,845
$2,593,406
$93,560.26
88.33%
Training & Development
$474,700
$541,991
$342,650
($199,340.97)
11.67%
TOTAL SAFETY
$3,228,878
$3,041,836
$2,936,056
($105,781)
100.00%
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 150
SAFETY DIVISION FY23
Budget
FY24
Budget
Adopted Budget
FY25
Budget
FY25 vs FY24
Budget
Variance
% of
Variance
Salaries and Wages
$1,010,393
$917,227
$752,340
($164,886)
(21.92%)
Fringe Benefits Salaries/Wages
$205,486
$201,790
$230,965
$29,175
12.63%
SUB-TOTAL PERSONNEL COSTS
$1,215,878
$1,119,017
$983,306
($135,711)
(13.80%)
Operational Contract Services
$1,655,000
$1,867,780
$1,900,829
$33,049
1.74%
Parts and Supplies
$42,000
$20,939
$21,115
$176
0.83%
Administrative Other
$139,000
$32,601
$0
($32,601)
0.00%
Administrative Contract Services
$163,000
$0
$0
$0
0.0%
Marketing and Printing
$10,000
$0
$0
$0
0.0%
Taxes and Fees
$4,000
$1,500
$30,806
$29,306
95.13%
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES $3,228,878 $3,041,836 $2,936,056 ($105,781) (3.60%)
*net of employee contribution for
healthcare premiums
Salaries and
Wages $752,340
Fringe Benefits
Salaries/Wages
$230,965
Operational
Contract Services
$1,900,829
Parts and
Supplies $21,115
Taxes and Fees
$30,806
SAFETY DIVISION
Safety & Security ,
$2,593,406
Training &
Development
$342,650
SAFETY DEPARTMENTS
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 151
Safety, Security and Learning & Development
Lead the agency’s safety initiatives with the development of the Public Transportation Agency
Safety Plan and the creation of a comprehensive Safety Management System and agency Joint
Safety Committee.
Safety & Security and Learning & Development (S&S and L&D) - The Safety and Security Team
(S&S) is made up of eight (8) people, which include the Chief Safety Officer; Manager of Safety
& Security; Security Coordinator; (2) Safety & Security Specialist, Safety Support Assistant,
Safety Assurance Analyst, and an Executive Assistant. Also, the Learning & Development Team
(L&D) is a department under the Safety & Learning Division reporting to the Chief Safety Officer
and is made up of six (5) people, which include: Manager of Learning & Development and 4
Training Specialists. Safety & Security is responsible for maintaining the organization’s safety and
security in order to ensure HART is fully maintaining safe and secure service without interruption.
Safety & Security also ensures that HART and its contractors remain compliant with Florida
Administrative Code 14-90 rule which regulates equipment and operational safety compliance
among public transit operators in Florida, and implemented enhanced requirements precipitated
by Federal Transit Administration (FTA) / State Safety Oversight Agency (SSOA).
S&S also oversees American Guard Services (AGS) HART’s armed security contractor that
overseeing all HART assets (buildings, terminals, stops and stations). The security measures are
designed to prevent incidents such as vandalism, theft, loitering, and violent acts while providing
an approachable presence to maintain a safe and secure environment. Lastly, SST is also
responsible for overseeing the management and coordinated responses for on-the-scene incidents,
accidents, or other collisions. As far as S&S involvement in state or federal audits are concerned,
they help to coordinate the safety components of triennial reviews and other transit audits to ensure
proper state and federal compliance for all states and federally required safety and security
measures.
The Learning & Development department trains on average one hundred (100) new operators each
year on the safe and secure operation of HART’s fleet of over 225 transit vehicles across forty (34)
different fixed routes, paratransit and streetcar rail. They also offer refresher training for over four
hundred (400) combined bus, paratransit, and streetcar operators, maintenance personnel, and
supervisory personnel on updated safety and security instruction, accident procedures, or the latest
HART policy changes as it effects transit and rider operation as well as organizational
development and other pertinent training for all employees.
Training Specialists are certified in FL third (3rd) party CDL training, TSI safety training & driving
techniques, TSA security measures, FTA compliance and policy measures, FTA drug +
alcohol + reasonable suspicion testing, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance
among other certifications this team uses to instruct, secure, and ensure the safety and wellbeing
of HART employees and its customers.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 152
Department Priorities:
Reported incidents - This KPI is a measurement of the total sum of Transit and workplace incidents
or accidents that Bus, Van, Streetcar, or administrative staff reported over a period. By measuring
the reported incidents KPI, HART Safety and Security team determine if there's a correlation
between the increase in reported incidents, accidents, and events as they correlate with new
procedures, equipment, and the new vehicles. This also helps to determine the total cost of any
incidents related to risk or legal matters as well as determining other related reporting measures
such as NTD and the need to invest in other safety needs.
Goals:
Department Goal
Measurement
Organizational Goal
Reduction of Safety & Security
National Transit Database
(NTD)- reportable events.
Track and reported to
NTD monthly. Less than
1 Safety Event per 100k
miles.
Customer Experience
Community Value
Financial Performance
Establish and maintain a strong
Safety Management System
(SMS) across all modes of
transportation
Deliver training to all
frontline employees
within next year tracked
and reported
Employee Success
Customer Experience
Support Employee Success by
providing training opportunities
and classes, including TSI
training to Safety Sensitive
employees
Track and report training
classes and hours
Employee Success
Prior Year Achievement:
Developed Joint Safety Committee program as required by the Bi-partisan infrastructure
bill. The Safety Committee is composed of representatives from frontline employees and
management, that are responsible for identifying, recommending, and analyzing the
effectiveness of risk-based mitigations or strategies to reduce consequences identified in
the agencies’ safety risk assessment.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 153
SECTION V - STATISTICS
POPULATION STATISTICS
Hillsborough County’s population increased 21 percent from 2010 to 2021, from 1.2 million to 1.5
million. A review of recent population trends also was conducted for the incorporated
municipalities within Hillsborough County. Whereas Tampa continues to have the largest
population, unincorporated Hillsborough County has experienced higher population growth rates
than the rest of the county, 24 percent. Although Temple Terrace experienced the lowest growth
in population among these municipalities (10%), it continues to have the highest population
density, with 3,475 persons per square mile.
Population Trends, Hillsborough County, 2010-2021
Location
2010
2021
% Change
Population
Population
Density*
Population
Population
Density*
Hillsborough County
1,229,226
1,205
1,490,374
1,461
21%
Plant City
34,721
1,192
40,183
1,380
16%
Tampa
335,709
2,832
391,800
3,305
17%
Temple Terrace
24,541
3,158
27,005
3,475
10%
Unincorporated
834,255
965
1,031,386
1,193
24%
*Persons per square mile
Source: 2021 University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic & Business Research (BEBR) Estimates of Population
Hillsborough County’s population is projected to grow approximately 7 percent from 2025 to
2030, from 1.6 million to 1.7 million, and to 2 million residents by 2050. Figure 2-1 shows the
population estimations for Hillsborough County from 2025 to 2050.
Population Projections, Hillsborough County, 2025-2050
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 154
Source: 2021 BEBR
Estimates of Population (Medium Projections)
POPULATION DENSITY
Higher population density is one of the key characteristics of a potential transit market, as there is
a greater chance to attract transit riders that live within walking distance of a transit stop. A walking
distance of ¾-mile is generally considered the farthest a rider will walk to access a transit stop.
Additionally, areas with a high population density often are associated with land uses that promote
multimodal use, as they tend to promote pedestrian and bicycle activity.
Hillsborough County currently has a countywide average of 1,461 persons per square mile, with
higher densities in the incorporated areas. Maps below show the projected population density, in
persons per square mile, by Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) for 2023 (TDP base year), calculated
based on socioeconomic data developed as part of the adopted 2045 Tampa Bay Regional Planning
Model (TBRPM). Higher-density TAZs (6,000 persons per square mile or more) are concentrated
in the following areas:
Town ‘n’ Country
Areas adjacent to Dale Mabry Highway from Northdale Boulevard to MacDill Air Force
Base
Along Nebraska Avenue from Bearss Avenue to the Hillsborough River
Along Florida Avenue from Fletcher Avenue to south of Waters Avenue
Adjacent to Temple Terrace
In and around Downtown Tampa
South of Kennedy Boulevard
South of SR 60 adjacent to I-75 in Brandon
Similar densities forecasted for 2032 (TDP horizon year), with density increasing in the
aforementioned areas along with areas in south county, specifically Apollo Beach and Ruskin.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 155
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 156
EMPLOYMENT DENSITY
Employment density is another factor to consider when identifying potential transit markets. Job
access via transit can ensure that workers get to their employment locations, thereby providing
essential benefits to the economy.
Similar to population, the projected employment density, in jobs per square mile, by TAZ for 2023,
calculated based on socioeconomic data developed as part of the adopted 2045 TBRPM. The
highest concentrations of employment density are mainly found in incorporated areas, more
specifically the following:
Downtown Tampa
Along I-275 from Bearss Avenue to the Hillsborough River
Near the University of South Florida (USF)
Along Kennedy Boulevard from Downtown Tampa to Old Tampa Bay
Along SR-60 in Brandon
North of Tampa International Airport
These areas have clusters of employment that are estimated to be 4,500 jobs or more per square
mile, with some TAZs exceeding 6,000 jobs per square mile. Some of these areas, specifically
Downtown Tampa and the USF area, have a high number of service-industry jobs at hotels,
restaurants, and other tourism-related destinations. Other areas in the county with moderate levels
of employment density include areas adjacent to major interstates and near the Pinellas County
line. These are projected to continue to be high-density employment areas over the next 10 years,
with some growth adjacent to the established areas.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 157
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 158
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 159
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND TRENDS
In addition to population, employment, and households, the baseline conditions analysis also
reviews key demographics such as age distribution, educational attainment, labor force, income
distribution, racial and ethnic origin, limited English proficiency, and foreign-born populations to
better understand the community HART serves, as summarized below.
AGE DISTRIBUTION
Age is an important factor when planning for public transit. Millennials—persons born between
1982 and 2000—generally exhibit the need for different transportation modes and preferences than
prior generations. They tend to drive less and desire more choices and flexibility in transit options.
Younger adults born after Millennials, referred to as Generation Z, continue to exhibit these same
preferences, indicating the possibility of a more positive, long-term shift in transit habits.
Additionally, older adults are more likely to experience age- and health-related obstacles to driving
and are more reliant on other ways to get around other than driving themselves, including using
public transit.
The projected distribution of population by age cohort for Hillsborough County. In 2025, 16
percent of residents are expected to be age 65 or older and, by 2045, the percentage of residents
aged 65 or older is expected to increase to approximately 18 percent of the total population. The
percentage of residents aged 65 and older in Hillsborough County is the only age cohort expected
to grow; all others will maintain their current share or decline marginally. The proportion of the
population ages 18–64 is projected to remain relatively steady between now and 2045. This age
group represents most working-age residents and adult students, many of whom commute daily to
school or work, therefore placing a potentially higher demand for transit options.
The chart below shows the Block Groups with higher concentrations of population age 65 and
over. Areas within Hillsborough County with higher concentrations (over 40% of Block Group
population) of this age group can be found along the Pinellas County line in Westchase, along
Bayshore Boulevard between Euclid Avenue and Howard Avenue, south of Ehrlich Road adjacent
to Dale Mabry Highway, north of Fletcher Avenue west of I-75, west of 56th Street and south of
Fowler Avenue adjacent to Temple Terrace, areas adjacent to I-4 in Plant City, areas in Sun City
Center, and along the Tampa Bay coast south of College Avenue to the Manatee County line.
Projected Age Distribution, 20252045
Source: ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates
13% 13% 13% 12% 12%
7% 6% 6% 6% 6%
13% 13% 13% 13% 13%
22% 21% 21% 21% 21%
30% 29% 29% 30% 30%
16% 17% 17% 18% 18%
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
65 years and older
40 to 64 years
25 to 39 years
15 to 24 years
10 to 14 years
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 160
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Persons with disabilities may rely on transit service for their mobility needs. According to the
Americans with Disabilities Act, a person with a disability has “a physical or mental impairment
that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of such an impairment; or is
regarded as having such an impairment.” The United States Department of Transportation
(USDOT) reports that people with disabilities travel by personal vehicles for a smaller share of
trips than those without disabilities.
The table below shows the number of persons with disabilities by age cohort in Hillsborough
County. The majority, over 50 percent, of those who have a disability are in the 18-64 age cohort.
As previously noted, this age cohort includes most working-age adults that may need access to
jobs. Map 2-7 illustrates the percentage of population with disabilities by census block group for
Hillsborough County. Persons with disabilities are concentrated along Adamo Drive adjacent to I-
75 and within the Sun City Center area.
Persons with Disabilities by Age, 2020
Age Cohort
2020 # of Persons
with Disabilities
2020 % of Persons
with Disabilities
Under 18
12,685
7.5%
18-64
85,887
50.7%
Over 65
70,665
41.8%
Source: ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
Level of education has been shown to correlate with income, which may influence the use of public
transit. Hillsborough County’s educational attainment has increased in the last 10 years. Since
2010, the percentage of people who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher has increased by five
percent points; concurrently, those who did not complete high school decreased by three percent
points.
According to the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council (EDC), the Tampa Bay area is home
to nearly 80 colleges, universities, and technical schools, and an average of 75 percent of graduates
stay in Florida. This could be a key catalyst for the increase in advanced degrees. Figure 2-3 shows
the level of educational attainment in Hillsborough County according to the 2010 Census and ACS
2020 5-Year Estimates.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 161
Educational Attainment, 2010 and 2020
Source: 2010 Census and ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates
LABOR FORCE
A review of the types of employment present in Hillsborough County and journeys to work was
conducted using the 2020 ACS Estimates. The following graphic shows the Hillsborough County
economy broken down by its key business occupations. Based on 2020 ACS data, the two largest
sectors, making up over half of transit rider employment, are Service (36%), followed by
Management, Business, Science, and Arts (27%). The proportion of transit riders employed in the
Service sector is higher than those who drive, indicating that this sector is a particularly important
transit market in Hillsborough County. Those that drove alone primarily work in Management,
Business, Science, and Arts (40%) or Sales and Offices (24%).
Labor Force by Occupation, Drove Alone and Transit Users, 2020
Source: ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates
17%
36%
40%
27%
24%
22%
11%
9%
8%
5%
1%
Drove alone
Transit
Service
Management, business, science, and
arts
Sales and office
Production, transportation, and
material moving
Natural resources, construction, and
maintenance
14%
28%
30%
29%
11%
27%
27%
34%
Did not complete high school
High school diploma
Some college
Bachelor's degree or better
2020
2010
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 162
MAJOR EMPLOYERS
The top 10 employers in Hillsborough County by number of employees are shown in the table
below. Several of these employers coincide with the areas with high employment density, such as
USF and Tampa General Hospital. The Hillsborough County School District is the seventh largest
school district in the nation, serving more than 217,000 students, and is among the top 10 major
employers in Hillsborough County, with 24,000 employees at schools and facilities throughout the
county. Six of the top 10 employers are private, and four are public agencies. As with the School
District, most of these large employers operate throughout the county, with employees traveling
to multiple locations.
Major Employers, Hillsborough County
Employer # of Employees
BayCare Health System
28,357
Publix Super Markets
26,000
Hillsborough County School District
24,000
HCA West Florida Division
18,000
University of South Florida
16,277
MacDill Air Force Base
15,000
AdventHealth West Florida Division
12,000
Hillsborough County
10,394
Citigroup
8,400
Tampa General Hospital
8,047
Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal
INCOME DISTRIBUTION
Households with lower incomes are more likely to have less discretionary income, which can make
car ownership or non-essential travel by car more difficult, thereby increasing reliance on public
transit. In 2020, 40 percent of households earned over $75,000 in Hillsborough County,
31 percent had an income of $35,000–$74,999, 18 percent earned $15,000–$34,999, and 10
percent earned less than $15,000 annually (Figure 2-5).
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 163
Household Income Distribution, Hillsborough County, 2020
Source: ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates
Income distribution of those who use transit services and those who drove alone also were
examined. The majority of transit riders reported income of less than $15,000 (43%) and $15,000–
$34,999 (36%). The figure below shows that the most common income brackets of those who
drove alone were $35,000–$74,999 (36%) and $15,000–$34,999 (30%). The median income for
those who drove alone is $38,904; transit riders reported $18,563.
Income Distribution, Drove Alone and Transit Users, 2020
Source: ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates
POVERTY
Individuals living in poverty have a higher propensity to use transit because they may not have the
means to own, fuel, and maintain a personal automobile. The U.S. Census Bureau defines the
poverty threshold as under $27,479 annual income for a family of four with two children. Despite
40 percent of Hillsborough County households earning over $75,000 annually, its 2020 poverty
rate for individuals was 14%. Although the poverty rate for individuals has increased marginally
since 2000 (13%), it has decreased since 2010 (17%), as shown below.
15%
43%
30%
36%
36%
15%
19%
6%
Drove alone
Transit
Less than $15,000
$15,000 to $34,999
$35,000 to $74,999
$75,000 or more
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 164
Poverty (Individuals), 20002020
Source: 2000 Census, ACS 2010 5-Year Estimates, and ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates
The chart shows the distribution of households living under the federal poverty level by Block
Group. There are notable concentrations of households living in poverty in the areas adjacent to
USF, between Nebraska Avenue and 56th Street south of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and
along the Hillsborough River between Columbus Drive and Cass Street.
Areas of persistent poverty in Hillsborough County also were examined. An area of persistent
poverty is defined by USDOT as a county with 20 percent or more of the population living in
poverty over 30 years, as measured by the 1990 and 2000 decennial census and the most recent
Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. Alternatively, data to support eligibility may also be
from any census tract with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent, as measured by the 2014–2018
five-year data series available from the American Community Survey (ACS) of the Census
Bureau. Map 2-9 shows the areas considered to be in persistent poverty.
13%
17%
14%
2000 2010 2020
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 165
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 166
RACE AND ETHNIC ORIGIN
Agencies such as HART that use federal dollars to fund public transit are required to ensure that
minorities are not discriminated against in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
1964. Understanding the overall minority profile of the community is important in identifying
future transit needs, as minorities historically represent a higher percentage of transit riders than
the overall population. Furthermore, understanding where minorities live helps to ensure that
federal requirements in the planning process are met and that public outreach efforts are tailored
to encourage participation of these population groups in the TDP process.
Hillsborough County’s population is trending to be more ethnically and racially diverse. From
2010 to 2020, the percent of residents identifying as Hispanic/Latino experienced a net increase of
4.2 percent points. Concurrently, those identifying as White alone and not Hispanic decreased by
5.8 percent points.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 167
Race and Ethnicity, 2020
Race/Ethnicity 2010
Population
2010 % of
Population
2020
Population
2020 % of
Population
Not Hispanic or Latino
922,591
75.1%
1,029,428
70.9%
White alone
660,565
53.7%
695,575
47.9%
Black or African American alone
191,260
15.6%
225,431
15.5%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone
2,948
0.2%
2,677
0.2%
Asian alone
41,328
3.4%
59,574
4.1%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone
703
0.1%
825
0.1%
Some other race alone
2,992
0.2%
6,061
0.4%
Two or more races
22,795
1.9%
39,285
2.7%
Hispanic or Latino
306,635
24.9%
421,930
29.1%
White alone
215,572
17.5%
278,111
19.2%
Black or African American alone
13,813
1.1%
17,113
1.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone
1,831
0.1%
1,323
0.1%
Asian alone
748
0.1%
1,097
0.1%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone
222
0.0%
261
0.0%
Some other race alone
58,562
4.8%
55,435
3.8%
Two or more races
15,887
1.3%
68,590
4.7%
Source: 2010 Census and ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates
The geographic distribution of persons who identify as a racial minority (non-White) in
Hillsborough County. The racial minority (non-White) population is concentrated in central areas
in Tampa, but more so between Kennedy Boulevard, Busch Boulevard, Sheldon Road, and the
Hillsborough River; east of I-275 from Bearss Avenue to the Hillsborough River; and between
Hillsborough Avenue, 50th Street, I-4, and Nebraska Avenue. A higher percentage of non-White
individuals also live along the east side of the I-75 corridor in Brandon and Seffner, south of the
Pasco County line between I-75 and Morris Bridge Road, in Ruskin, and in Plant City.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 168
The figure below compares the ethnic and racial makeup of workers who commute using public
transit versus those who drive alone in Hillsborough County, and illustrates that
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 169
Minorities are more likely to use public transit to travel to and from work. The percentage of
Black or African American workers who use public transit is more than twice that of those who
drive alone. Conversely, White workers are more than twice as likely to drive alone on their
commute than take transit.
Race and Ethnicity, Drove Alone and Transit, 2020
Source: ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates
LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
As Hillsborough County continues to become more diverse, there are more people who speak a
range of languages at varying levels. HART must take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful
access to its services by persons with limited English proficiency (LEP), defined as persons who
speak English “less than very well.” As shown in the figure below, 11 percent of those older than
age 5 in Hillsborough County are LEP. The percentage of transit users who ride transit to work
and who are LEP is 12 percent. This means that transit is an important resource for the LEP
community. Map 2-11 shows the geographic distribution of households that speak English “less
than very well.” Concentrations of these households can be found adjacent to Dale Mabry Highway
between Columbus Drive and Busch Boulevard.
Individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), 2020
Source: ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates
70%
16% 4% 4% 6%
35%
51%
6% 1% 4% 4%
White Black or African
American
Asian Native Hawaiian
and Other Pacific
Islander
Some other race Two or more races
Drove alone Transit
Population 5 years and
over
Hillsborough County
population who are LEP
11
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 170
TRAVEL BEHAVIOR AND COMMUTING TRENDS
Data available on travel flows were analyzed to assess general travel behaviors and patterns in and
around Hillsborough County. By better understanding commuting behaviors and general travel
patterns, HART may plan its transit services more effectively. If offered as an attractive and viable
alternative to the automobile, transit can become an effective mode to connect residents to
economic opportunities, link to recreational/other activities, and reduce traffic in the county. This
analysis attempts to understand current travel patterns and behavior, including the modes used to
commute to work, popular commute times, and regional commuting patterns.
AUTOMOBILE OWNERSHIP
Owning a vehicle can be a significant financial burden, particularly for households already near or
below the poverty line. Households that do not own a vehicle are considered “zero-vehicle
households” and are more likely to be dependent on public transportation for work, nutrition,
education, and medical appointments. According to the ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates,
approximately 6.2 percent of households were considered zero-vehicle households in Hillsborough
County, marginally higher than the rate of zero vehicle households in Florida (6.1%). In
Hillsborough County, approximately 38.1 percent of households have one vehicle available, and
approximately 55.7 percent have two or more vehicles available. The greatest concentrations of
zero-vehicle households are adjacent to Downtown Tampa along I-275, adjacent to USF, and west
of Race Track Road adjacent to Pinellas County.
COMMUTER PROFILE AND OVERVIEW
Data available from the ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates were also used to assess travel behaviors and
patterns in Hillsborough County for people who commute for work. The median age for a
commuter driving alone is 40.7 years in Hillsborough County, and the median age for a transit
rider is 34.1 years. Younger generations, such as Millennials and Generation Z, are more open to
using alternative forms of transportation, which may contribute to the considerably lower median
age for transit riders. Approximately 39 percent of transit riders are from zero-vehicle households,
and approximately 31 percent have access to one vehicle. The figure below shows a general
overview of the average commuter in Hillsborough County.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 171
Average Hillsborough County Commuter Profile
Source: ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates
COMMUTE CHOICES
According to the ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates data, over 95 percent of transit riders in Hillsborough
County have jobs within the county. The table below shows that the most popular commute choice
for those in Hillsborough County is to drive alone (76.8%), which decreased from 80.2 percent in
2010, as carpooling and walking also decreased marginally from 9.7 percent to 9.1 percent and
from 1.7 percent to 1.5 percent, respectively. Working from home increased the most, from 5.0
percent to 9.5 percent, and using public transit decreased marginally from 1.6 percent in 2010 to
1.2 percent in 2020. Although the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on commuting
are still not clear, the call for employees to return to the office may increase the need for alternative
transportation options.
Table 0-1: Commuting Choices, 20102020
Commute Choice 2010 2020
Drove alone
80.2%
76.8%
Carpooled
9.7%
9.1%
Public transportation (excluding taxicab)
1.6%
1.2%
Walked
1.7%
1.5%
Worked at home
5.0%
9.5%
Bicycle or other
1.9%
0.5%
Source: 2010 Census and ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates
TOURISM
SEASONAL RESIDENTS AND VISITOR LEVELS
The influx of tourists and/or seasonal residents to Hillsborough County, particularly during peak
season in winter months, places a high demand on roadways and increases traffic congestion
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 172
levels. Seasonal residents are defined as any person who resides in Florida for at least 31
consecutive days in each calendar year, maintains a temporary residence, returns to their Florida
residence at least once per calendar year, and is registered to vote or pays income tax in another
jurisdiction, according to Florida Senate Bill 8A. Transit options that are safe and convenient will
serve to further reduce peak season road congestion and strengthen the attractiveness of
Hillsborough County as a place to visit. According to the ACS 2020 5-Year Estimates, there are
50,795 unoccupied (partially throughout the year) dwelling units in Hillsborough County. Of
those, 1,489 residents declared that their current residence is elsewhere.
Airports, especially those that serve international flights, create a great transit demand, as arriving
visitors typically do not have vehicles readily available. The Tampa Bay area is a major travel
destination, with a high volume of domestic tourists and international visitors. Hillsborough
County has a thriving tourist industry and welcomes 24.5 million visitors every year, resulting in
a gross economic output of $2.9 billion in 2021. Tourists are an important group of riders to
consider when identifying local and regional transportation needs. For example, tourists flying into
Hillsborough County will benefit if using transit is a convenient way to get from the airport to
where they are staying and to other destinations in the county as well as around the region, as
transit costs less than renting a car or hiring a car service. Tourists making day trips around the
region will also benefit if transit is a convenient option, as opposed to driving, and residents will
benefit if fewer cars are on the road.
According to Tampa International Airport, the majority of visitors (98%) that arrived by plane
from April 2021 to March 2022 were from within the U.S. The top domestic visitors were from
New York and Chicago, which have viable and heavily used public transit systems. The top 10
markets for Tampa, other than New York and Chicago, are Detroit, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Denver,
Boston, Dallas, Minneapolis, and Baltimore. The figure below shows the number of inbound
passengers from May 2021 to April 2022, showing a general increase in the number of passengers,
which could be attributed to relaxed travel restrictions.
Inbound Airline Passengers, May 2021April 2022
Source: Tampa International Airport (TPA)
750.1K 816.4K 842.9K 880.9K
734.2K 668.4K
809.9K
899.2K
987.5K
760.8K
863.0K
1.1M
Apr-21 May-21 Jun-21 Jul-21 Aug-21 Sep-21 Oct-21 Nov-21 Dec-21 Jan-22 Feb-22 Mar-22
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 173
A significant percentage of the jobs that support tourism in Hillsborough County are service and
retail jobs in hotels, restaurants, and retail stores. Areas where attractions are dense typically have
limited parking and can be expensive. Safe and reliable transit for service industry workers,
including those who work early morning/late evening (or the “third shift”), is also an important
consideration.
Tourism supports more than 54,000 jobs in related businesses such as hotels, restaurants, stores,
attractions, transportation services, and others. Destinations and events such as theme parks,
casinos, festivals, and sports events bring more than 24.5 million visitors to Hillsborough County
annually who spend approximately $2.9 billion. The majority of visitor spending is devoted to
food and beverage (32%), as shown below.
Visitor Spending, 2021
Source: Visit Tampa Bay
32%
22%
17%
15%
14%
Food and Beverage
Recreation
Lodging
Local Transportation
Retail
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 174
FINANCIAL STATISTICS
NET POSITION
This audited table shows net position at FY14 through FY23. It is important to note that HART
returned more than $216M in tax refunds to the state in FY23.
NET POSITION BY COMPONENT
FY2014 to FY2023
FY2014
FY2015
FY2016
FY2017
FY2018
NET POSITION
RESTATED
Net Investment in Capital Assets
$122,526,409
$123,085,260
$122,976,936
$121,766,602
$117,985,314
Restricted
$445,000
$700,000
$610,800
$1,037,807
$1,037,807
Unrestricted
($1,304,949)
($5,632,905)
($14,589,739)
($24,544,597)
($26,301,549)
Total Net Position
$121,666,460
$118,152,355
$108,997,997
$98,259,812
$92,721,572
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
FY2022
FY2023
NET POSITION
Net Investment in Capital Assets
$120,027,532
$110,229,835
$104,384,887
$104,149,896
$103,025,953
Restricted
$85,625,022
$197,353,969
$218,851,884
$17,099,772
$28,526,571
Unrestricted
($34,808,461)
($27,878,361)
($11,808,554)
($33,476,174)
($27,048,238)
Total Net Position
$170,844,093
$279,705,443
$311,428,217
$87,773,494
$
104,504,286
$90,000,000
$95,000,000
$100,000,000
$105,000,000
$110,000,000
$115,000,000
$120,000,000
$125,000,000
Net Investment in Capital Assets
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 175
RESERVES
Reserves Summary
Reserve
Designation
Basis for
Reserve
Required
Reserves
for FY25
Actual
FY24
Projected
FY25
Amount
Over/Under
required
amount
%
Over/Under
Required
amount
Operating 90 days operating $27,172,195 $37,659,052 $39,165,414 $11,993,219 44.14%
Risk Based on Study $2,935,080 $2,989,191 $3,108,759 $173,679 5.92%
Medical Liability Based on Study $705,000 $718,528
$747,269 $42,269 6.00%
Capital Matching No required amount $4,500,000 $4,943,116 $4,500,000 $0 0.00%
FTA Liability No required amount $0 $1,336,759 $1,390,229 $1,390,229 0.00%
Total Reserves $35,312,275 $47,646,646 $48,911,671 $13,599,396 56.06%
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 176
This section is comprised of the charts and graphs from the Annual Comprehensive Finance
Report. These charts show historical information that is used for trend analysis.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 177
FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022 FY2023
ASSETS
Cash & Cash Equivalents-Unrestricted 9,272,590$ 22,596,459$ 32,360,767$ 12,661,184$ 12,132,057$
Cash & Cash Equivalents-Restricted 66,023,804
$ 177,655,390
$ 218,848,884$ 17,099,772$ 28,526,571$
Investments -$ -
$
Trade Receivable, net 1,100,599
$ 569,053
$ 674,160$ 1,493,939$ 2,330,872$
Surtax Receivable 19,601,218$ 19,698,579
$ -$ -$ -$
Delinquent Property Tax Receivable 55,895$ 84,131
$ 37,717$ -$ -$
Federal Grants Receivable 2,211,812$ 1,771,783$ 3,226,257$ 2,798,019$ 24,917,028$
State Grants Receivable 865,935$ 1,076,633
$ 3,767,495$ 1,737,765$ 6,948,539$
Local Grants Receivable 160,192$ 239,470
$ 922,011$ 296,055$ 326,269$
Inventory of Parts & Supplies 1,956,216$ 1,939,187$ 2,160,769$ 2,360,022$ 2,499,690$
Prepaid Expenses 503,634$ 508,821$ 565,960$ 346,702$ 509,617$
Total Current Assets 101,751,895$ 226,139,506
$ 262,564,020$ 38,793,458$ 78,190,643$
Long Term Assets:
Land 19,043,009$ 19,043,009
$ 19,043,009$ 19,043,009$ 19,043,009$
Construction in Progress 7,786,592
$ 6,221,020
$ 8,206,207$ 9,159,493$ 4,752,207$
Capital Assets, net 93,356,839
$ 85,042,401
$ 77,135,671$ 75,947,613$ 79,110,971$
Leased Assets, net -$ -$ -$ -$ 32,940$
SBIT, net -$ -$ -$ -$ 1,580,516$
Total Long Term Assets 120,186,440$ 110,306,430$ 104,457,566$ 104,202,839$ 104,519,643$
Total Assets 221,938,335
$ 336,445,936$ 367,021,586$ 142,996,299$ 182,710,286$
DEFERRED OUTFLOWS
Deferred Outflows on pension
and OPEB related amounts 14,566,634$ 16,063,147$ 13,425,823$ 15,725,968$ 13,613,246$
LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities:
Accounts Payable 4,453,958$ 4,510,817$ 5,562,045$ 3,460,755$ 13,384,433$
Accrued Expenses 1,637,797
$ 1,617,934
$ 2,228,657$ 2,080,447$ 2,634,485$
Right to use lease liability * -
$ -
$ 19,736$ 19,600$ 641,585$
Interest Payable* -$ -$ 69$ 54$ 39,155$
Deferred Revenue 8,440
$ 6,264$ 184,962$ 239,291$ 194,764$
Self-Insurance & Contingency 3,915,661$ 3,426,588$ 2,504,328$ 2,760,494$ 2,845,294$
Environmental Remediation 133,734
$ 150,000
$ 150,000$ -$ -$
Compensated Absences 110,894$ 116,809$ 91,095$ 150,729$ 185,514$
Capital Lease Obligation -$ -$ -$ -$ -$
Net Pension Liability 262,590$ 168,757$ 83,659$ 13,835$ -$
Net OPEB Liability -$ -
$ -$ -$
Total Current Liabilities 10,523,074$ 9,997,169$ 10,824,551$ 8,725,205$ 19,925,231$
Lease Liability * -$ -$ 52,874$ 33,344$ 812,950$
Self-Insurance & Contingency 3,125,977$ 2,833,552$ 3,197,683$ 3,303,686$ 2,407,879$
Environmental Remediation -$ -$ -$ -$ -$
Compensated Absences 2,782,394$ 3,086,926$ 3,317,998$ 3,218,633$ 3,421,974$
Capital Lease Obligation -$ -$ -$ -$ -$
Net Pension Liability 43,722,810$ 53,099,259$ 22,887,291$ 51,122,547$ 61,132,782$
Net OPEB Liability 1,182,510$ 1,426,868
$ 1,566,440$ 1,485,007$ 1,664,814$
Total Long Term Liabilities 50,813,691$ 60,446,605$ 31,022,286$ 59,163,217$ 69,440,399$
Total Liabilities 61,336,765$ 70,443,774$ 41,846,837$ 67,888,422$ 89,365,630$
DEFERRED INFLOWS
Deferred Inflows on pension
and OPEB related amounts 4,324,111$ 2,359,866
$ 27,172,356$ 3,060,351$ 2,453,616$
NET POSITION
Net Investment in Capital Assets 120,027,532$ 110,229,835
$ 104,384,887$ 104,149,896$ 103,025,953$
Restricted 85,625,022
$ 197,353,969$ 218,851,884$ 17,099,772$ 28,526,571$
Unrestricted (34,808,461)$ (27,878,361)$ (11,808,554)$ (33,476,174)$ (27,048,238)$
Total Net Position 170,844,093$ 279,705,443$ 311,428,217$ 87,773,494$ 104,504,286$
STATEMENT OF ASSETS, DEFERRED OUTFLOWS, LIABILITIES, DEFERRED INFLOWS & NET POSITION
FY2019 to FY2023
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 178
FY2019 FY2020 2021 2022 2023
OPERATING REVENUES:
Passenger Fare Revenues $12,412,904 $9,029,994 $6,272,298 $8,162,616 $8,637,755
Advertising Revenues $1,109,730 $564,256 $1,739,039 $1,660,872 $1,660,701
Other Revenues $2,817,582 $104,994 $246,383 $581,318 $397,023
Total Operating Revenues $16,340,216 $9,699,244 $8,257,720 $10,404,806 $10,695,479
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries & Wages $37,836,961 $37,308,373 $41,715,733
$42,806,690 $52,628,592
Fringe Benefits $26,820,478 $30,351,736 $24,998,425
$28,977,689 $34,249,277
Fuel & Oil $4,417,508 $2,974,830 $3,296,975
$5,416,772 $4,738,543
Parts & Supplies $5,103,773 $5,603,276 $4,368,288
$4,690,787 $5,383,658
Contract Services $8,268,305 $8,930,148 $8,182,724
$8,049,117 $7,710,944
Claims $3,313,183 $3,233,629 $2,970,319
$4,173,111 $3,187,346
Utilities $933,400 $924,601 $943,186
$1,047,594 $1,162,030
Marketing & Printing $542,376 $354,346 $355,111
$365,206 $399,869
Other Expenses $2,241,779 $2,329,677 $2,015,999
$1,812,495 $2,003,671
Expenses Reimbursed by Grants $693,637 $4,125,879 $3,087,727
$4,845,377 $361,121
Lease Interest Expense* $0 $0 $503 $384 $51,139
Total Operating Expenses $90,171,400 $96,136,495 $91,934,990 $102,185,222 $111,876,190
Total Operating Gain (Loss) ($73,831,184) ($86,437,251) ($83,677,270) ($91,780,416) ($101,180,711)
Depreciation Expense $12,353,469 $12,807,484 $12,845,735 $12,086,256 $12,321,051
Lease Amortization Expense* $0 $0 $19,870 $19,784 $716,207
Net Operating Gain (Loss) ($86,184,653) ($99,244,735) ($96,542,875) ($103,886,456) ($114,217,969)
NON-OPERATING REVENUES:
Federal Operating Grants $12,513,482 $29,256,664 $35,072,557
$26,253,644 $38,657,191
State Operating Grants $8,399,287 $7,189,103 $6,787,687
$7,205,688 $6,759,964
Local Operating Grants $1,151,425 $1,465,932 $1,531,207
$1,506,817 $1,590,458
State Operating rebates-CNG $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Transportation Surtax $84,299,484 $111,409,428 $21,012,547 ($216,090,967) $0
Other Federal Funds $0 $1,985,705 $944,142 $332,014 $0
Property Tax Proceeds $44,834,934 $48,870,629 $53,130,355 $57,536,830 $66,018,626
Interest Revenue $726,168 $1,379,791 $389,600 $186,866 $1,958,613
Total Non-Operating Revenues $151,924,780 $201,557,252 $118,868,095 ($123,069,108) $114,984,852
Gain (Loss) before Capital Grants $65,740,127 $102,312,517 $22,325,220 ($226,955,564) $766,883
CAPITAL GRANT REVENUES:
Federal Capital Grants $11,430,645 $4,831,653 $7,884,702
$2,570,418 $15,527,636
State Capital Grants $641,910 $1,416,991 $782,539
$722,107 $238,669
Local Capital Grants $309,839 $285,589 $715,713
$8,316 $190,947
Developer Contributed Assets $0 $14,600 $14,600 $0 $6,657
Total Capital Contribution Revenue
$12,382,394 $6,548,833 $9,397,554 $3,300,841 $15,963,909
Increase (Decrease) in Net Position $78,122,521 $108,861,350 $31,722,774 ($223,654,723) $16,730,792
Net Position, Beginning Year $92,721,572 $170,844,093 $279,705,443 $311,428,217 $87,773,494
Net Position, End of the Year $170,844,093 $279,705,443 $311,428,217 $87,773,494 $104,504,286
STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENSES, & CHANGES IN NET POSITION
FY2019 to FY2023
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 179
Fixed Route Bus Service
FY19 FY2 0 FY21 FY2 2 FY2 3
Total M iles *
9,056,592 7,713,928 7,652,872 7,157,294 7,187,489
Revenue M iles *
8,199,394 7,135,272 7,187,617 6,544,375 6,582,991
Total Hours*
692,964 595,430 602,434 554,216 553,859
Revenue Hours*
662,198 574,098 584,719 535,992 529,706
Vehicle Trips*
681,158 590,513 596,336 602,343 535,313
Ridership*
12,032,360 8,343,331 5,784,404 9,644,403 11,062,383
Positions*
677.0 640.0 624.0 638.0 616.0
Passenger Fares
11,477,437$ 8,265,314$ 5,746,646$ 7,297,322$ 7,854,261$
Ad Valorem
40,760,104$ 46,435,486$ 49,135,127$ 52,861,038$ 63,796,335$
Operating Grant Revenues
16,829,916$ 30,800,393$ 36,100,159$ 31,478,353$ 36,385,396$
Other Revenues
4,652,989$ 4,037,992$ 3,229,204$ 2,580,976$ 3,754,366$
Total Operating Revenues
73,720,446$ 89,539,185$ 94,211,136$ 94,217,689$ 111,790,358$
Total Op erat ing Expenses
79,232,697$ 81,694,363$ 76,693,257$ 88,130,868$ 98,168,418$
Operating Cost per Total Mile
8.75$ 10.59$ 10.02$ 12.31$ 13.66$
Operating Cost per Revenue Mile
9.66$ 11.45$ 10.67$ 13.47$ 14.91$
Ridership per Revenue Mile
1.47$ 1.17$ 0.80$ 1.47$ 1.68$
Operating Cost per Rider
6.58$ 9.79$ 13.26$ 9.14$ 8.87$
Average Fare p er Rider
0.95$ 0.99$ 0.99$ 0.76$ 0.71$
Percentage of Passenger Fare to
Operating Cost (Fare Recovery)
14.5% 10.1% 7.5% 8.3% 8.0%
EXPENSES
KEY OPERATING INDICATORS
STATISTICS
REVENUES
Note : Total bus
operating expenses include salaries, fringes, fuel & lubricants, parts & supplies, contracted services, claims,
utilities, marketing and other miscellaneous expenses which are not directly attributable to paratransit or
streetcar. It does not include operating expenses reimbursed by grants or depreciation.
HILLSBOROUGH TRANSIT AUTHORITY
TREND OF BUS SERVICE
FY2019 to FY2023
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 180
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 181
Demand Response Paratransit Service
FY19 FY2 0 FY21 FY2 2 FY23
Total M iles *
2,402,235 1,836,848 1,599,966 1,974,734 2,202,061
Revenue M iles *
2,155,760 1,629,486 1,363,101 1,708,365 1,909,425
Total Hours*
138,070 108,036 120,912 146,021 146,640
Revenue Hours*
120,621 93,127 100,864 122,835 124,679
Vehicle Trips*
175,867 126,483 129,316 165,154 180,655
Ridership*
279,278 208,715 147,186 184,771 201,991
Positions*
91.0 121.0 95.0 107.0 103.0
Passenger Fares
$929,626 $764,680 $525,652 $865,294 $783,493
Ad Valorem
$4,074,830 $2,435,143 $3,995,228 $4,675,792 $2,222,291
Operating Grant Revenues
$2,992,853 $4,555,374 $4,751,039 $1,099,004 $7,831,758
Other Revenues
$410 $0 $409 $545 $79,277
Total Operating Revenues
$7,997,719 $7,755,197 $9,272,328 $6,640,635 $10,916,819
Total Op erating Exp enses
$7,997,719 $7,755,197 $9,272,328 $6,640,635 $10,916,819
Operating Cost per Total Mile
$3.33 $4.22 $5.80 $3.36 $4.96
Operating Cost per Revenue Mile
$3.71 $4.76 $6.80 $3.89 $5.72
Ridership per Revenue Mile
0.13 0.13 0.11 0.11 0.11
Operating Cost per Rider
$28.64 $37.16 $63.00 $35.94 $54.05
Average Fare p er Rider
$3.33 $3.66 $3.57 $4.68 $3.88
Percentage of Passenger Fare to Operat ing
Cost (Fare Recovery)
11.6% 9.9% 5.7% 13.0% 7.2%
STATISTICS
REVENUES
EXPENSES
Note :
Total paratransit operating expenses include those expenses directly attributable to paratransit service which
include salaries, fringes, fuel & lubricants, parts & supplies, contracted services, claims, utilities, marketing and
other miscellaneous expenses. It does not include operating expenses reimbursed by grants or depreciation.
Ridership includes the Taxi Voucher Program.
HILLSBOROUGH TRANSIT AUTHORITY
TREND OF PARATRANSIT SERVICE
FY2019 to FY2023
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 182
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 183
FIXED GUIDEWAY STREETCAR SERVICE
FY19 FY20 FY 21 FY 2 2 FY 23
Total M iles *
117,636 116,357 127,879 126,380 126,282
Revenue M iles *
114,855 115,874 124,055 123,616 126,282
Total Hours*
21,982 21,960 23,620 22,487 23,248
Revenue Hours*
20,758 21,842 23,564 22,487 23,248
Vehicle Trip s*
43,539 44,424 48,862 48,591 49,691
Ridership*
850,853 653,232 712,693 1,107,584 1,281,399
Positions*
29.0 30.0 25.0 32.0 33.0
Passenger Fares
$5,841 $0 $0 $0 $0
Ad Valorem
$0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Operating Grant Revenues
$2,241,425 $2,555,932 $2,540,253 $2,388,792 $2,790,457
Other Revenues
$81 -$3,246 $89,550 $179,550 $182,693
Total Operating Revenues
$2,247,347 $2,552,686 $2,629,803 $2,568,342 $2,973,150
Total Op erating Expenses
$2,247,347 $2,561,056 $2,629,803 $2,568,342 $2,973,150
Operating Cost per Total Mile
$19.10 $22.01 $20.56 $20.32 $23.54
Operating Cost per Revenue Mile
$19.57 $22.10 $21.20 $20.78 $23.54
Ridership per Revenue Mile
7.41 5.64 5.74 8.96 10.15
Operating Cost per Rider
$2.64 $3.92 $3.69 $2.32 $2.32
Average Fare p er Rider
$0.01 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Percentage of Passenger Fare to
Operating Cost
(Fare Recovery)
0.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Note :
Total streetcar operating expenses include those expenses directly attributable to streetcar service which
include salaries, fringes, fuel & lubricants, parts & supplies, contracted services, claims, utilities, marketing
and other miscellaneous expenses. It does not include operating expenses reimbursed by grants or
depreciation. Through a grant from Florida Department of Transportation, starting October 2018 free
fares are now offered on the streetcar. While there is still a small amount of special event revenue taken in,
this schedule shows the sharp drop in Passenger Fares while the ridership and other statistical data reflects
a sharp increase.
HILLSBOROUGH TRANSIT AUTHORITY
TREND OF STREETCAR SERVICE
FY2019 to FY2023
STATISTICS
REVENUES
EXPENSES
KEY OPERATING INDICATORS
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 184
Streetcar services became fare free in August of 2018.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 185
EXPENSES BY PROGRAM
HILLSBOROUGH TRANSIT AUTHORITY
EXPENSES BY PROGRAM
FY2014 to FY2023
FY2014
FY2015
FY2016
FY2017
FY2018
OPERATING EXPENSES:
RESTATED
Bus Operations
$37,347,689
$42,664,566
$44,182,428
$47,715,002
$44,052,634
Paratransit Operations
$5,206,235
$4,656,056
$5,429,230
$7,084,468
$7,497,115
Streetcar Operations
$1,547,682
$1,410,802
$1,594,582
$1,687,448
$1,577,705
Administration & Other
$21,856,733
$21,500,756
$23,367,153
$24,476,974
$25,465,538
Op. Exp Reimb by Grants
$1,595,894
$1,793,741
$1,440,203
$1,750,812
$2,477,538
Total Operating Expenses
$67,554,233
$72,025,921
$76,013,596
$82,714,704
$81,070,530
Depreciation Expense
$10,578,252
$11,671,433
$11,652,527
$12,164,514
$12,194,544
Lease Amortization Expense
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Total Expenses
$78,132,485
$83,697,354
$87,666,123
$94,879,218
$93,265,074
FY2019
FY2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Bus Operations
$53,215,806
$55,974,173
$65,954,761
$73,445,182
$78,539,212
Paratransit Operations
$7,997,719
$7,755,197
$9,272,328
$6,640,635
$10,916,819
Streetcar Operations
$2,247,347
$2,561,056
$2,629,803
$2,568,342
$2,973,150
Administration & Other
$26,016,891
$25,720,190
$10,990,371
$14,685,686
$19,629,206
Op. Exp Reimb by Grants
$693,637
$4,125,879
$3,087,727
$4,845,377
$361,121
Total Operating Expenses
$90,171,400
$96,136,495
$91,934,990
$102,185,222
$112,419,508
Depreciation Expense
$12,353,469
$12,807,484
$12,845,735
$12,086,256
$12,321,051
Lease Amortization Expense
$0
$0
$19,870
$19,784
$716,207
Total Expenses
$102,524,869
$108,943,979
$104,800,595
$114,291,262
$125,456,766
Notes:
Bus Operations are those functions and related cost for Bus and Flex Service. These functions include Vehicle Operators, Maintenance
Tech's, Scheduling, Customer Service, Support and Supervisory Personnel.
Paratransit Operations are those functions and related cost for Paratransit Service. These functions include Vehicle Operators, Maintenance
Techs, Scheduling, Customer Service, Support and Supervisory Personnel along with Administrative and Contract Services which directly
support Paratransit Operations.
Streetcar Operations are those functions and related cost for Streetcar Service. These functions include Vehicle Operators, Maintenance
Tech's, and Supervisory Personnel along with Administrative and Contract Services which directly support Streetcar Operations.
Administrative & Other are those support functions and related cost which support the whole organization which do not already directly
support Paratransit and Streetcar. These functions include: Executive, Finance, Human Resource, Information Technology, Procurement,
Marketing, Legal, Risk Management, Insurance Costs, and Other Overhead Costs.
Operating Expense reimbursed by Grants are costs which are grant funded but are not classified as capital assets and need to be recognized
as operating costs.
Total Operating Costs include: Bus, Paratransit & Streetcar operations and Administrative & Other functions.
Depreciation Expense is the straight-line amortization of capitalized assets.
Total Expenses include all cost listed above.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 186
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 187
SECTION VI - ACRONYMS
AA Alternative Analysis
ABBG American Bus Benchmarking Group
ACFR Annual Comprehensive Financial
Report
ACS American Community Survey
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
AOC Area of Concern
AP Accounts Payable
APC Automatic Passenger Counter
APTA American Public Transit Association
ARP American Rescue Plan
ATU Amalgamated Transit Union
AV Audio Visual
AVL Automatic Vehicle Location System
BEBR Bureau of Economic and Business
Research
BOCC Board of County Commissioners
BRT Bus Rapid Transit
BTI Bus Transit Infrastructure
CAD/AVL Computer-Aided Dispatch /
Automatic Vehicle Location
CAO Chief Administrative Officer
CDL Commercial Drivers License
CEO Chief Executive Officer
CFO Chief Financial Officer
CIP Capital Improvement Program
CNG Compressed Natural Gas
COA Comprehensive Operational Analysis
COO Chief Operating Officer
CPI Consumer Price Index
CUTR Center for Urban Transportation
Research
DBE Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
DOR Florida Department of Revenue
EAM Enterprise Asset Management
EDC Economic Development Council
EDR Florida Legislature’s Office of
Economic & Demographic
EOL End of Line
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival
F.A.C. Florida Administrative Code
FDEP Florida Department of Environmental
Protection
FDOT Florida Department of Transportation
FHWA Federal Highway Administration
FPTA Florida Public Transit Association
FTA Federal Transit Administration
FTC Florida Transportation Commission
F.S. Florida Statute
FTE Full-Time Equivalent
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 188
FY Fiscal Year
GAAP Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles
GASB Governmental Accounting Standards
Board
GFOA Government Finance Officers
Association of the United States and Canada
GIS Geographic Information System
GP Great Plains
HART Hillsborough Transit Authority
HCMS Human Capital System Management
System
HM Heavy Maintenance
HR Human Resources
HRIS Human Resources Information
System
IT Information Technology
KPI Key Performance Indicators
LCB Local Coordinating Board
LEP Limited English Proficiency
LPA Locally Preferred Alternative
LRTP Long Range Transportation Plan
LX Limited Express
MBE Minority Businesses Enterprise
MPO Metropolitan Planning Organization
MTC Marian Transit Center
NAE Neighborhood Access and Equity
NRV Non-Revenue Vehicle
NTD National Transportation Database
OEM Original Equipment Manufacture
OTP On-Time Performance
P-CARD Purchase Card
PCPT Pasco County Public Transit
PERC Public Employees Relations
Commission
PH Public Hearing
PIP Public Involvement Plan
PM Preventative Maintenance
PMO Project Management Office
PO Public Outreach
PPP Public Participation Plan
PSTA Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority
SAAS Software as a Service
SBE Small Business Enterprise
SCAT Sarasota County Area Transit
SDS Safety Data Sheets
SOP Standard Operating Procedure
SSP System Security Plan
SSPP System Safety Program Plan
SST Safety, Security and Training
STIP Statewide Transportation
Improvement Plan
TAM Transit Asset Management
TAZ Traffic Analysis Zone
TBARTA Tampa Bay Area Regional
Transit Authority
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 189
TBRPM Tampa Bay Regional Planning
Model
TD Transportation Disadvantaged
TDP Transit Development Plan
TDT Training & Development Team
TECO Tampa Electric Company
THEA Tampa Hillsborough Expressway
Authority
THS Tampa Historic Streetcar
TIP Transportation Improvement Program
TPA Tampa International Airport
TPO Transportation Planning Organization
TRAC Transit Riders Advisory Committee
TRIM Truth in Millage
TSI Transportation Safety Institute
UATC University Area Transit Center
USF University of South Florida
USDOT United States Department of
Transportation
VPN Virtual Private Network
WBE Women Business Enterprise
WC Workers Compensation
YTD Year to Date
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 190
SECTION VII - GLOSSARY
ACCESSIBLE is defined by FTA, a site, building, facility, or portion thereof that complies with
defined standards and that can be approached, entered, and used by persons with disabilities.
ACCRUAL BASIS is a method of accounting that recognizes revenue when earned and
expenditures when incurred regardless of when cash is received or disbursed.
ADA is the Americans with Disabilities act of 1990. This Federal act requires many changes to
ensure that people with disabilities have access to jobs, public accommodations,
telecommunications, and public services, including public transit. Examples of these changes
include mandating that all new buses and rail lines to be wheelchair accessible, and that alternative
transportation be provided to customers unable to access the transit system.
AD VALOREM TAX is a tax levied on the assessed value of the property minus statutory
exemptions on which it is levied. The rate of the tax is expressed in “mills.” This tax is also called
PROPERTY TAX. Also, see the definition of MILL.
ADOPTED BUDGET is the financial plan for a fiscal year beginning October 1. Florida Statutes
require local governments to approve their budget at the second of two public hearings. AM Peak
is the period in the morning when additional services are provided to handle higher passenger
volumes. The period begins when normal headways are reduced and ends when headways are
returned to normal.
AMENDED OR REVISED BUDGET is the current year adopted budget adjusted to reflect all
budget amendments approved by the Board of Directors through the date indicated.
APPROPRIATION is the legal authorization of funds granted by a legislative body such as
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority Board of Directors to make expenditures and to incur
obligations for specific purposes. An appropriation is usually limited in amount and to a time
period within which it may be expended.
ASSESSED VALUE is a value set upon real estate or other personal property by a government
as a basis for levying taxes. The Property Appraiser determines the assessed value of property in
Pinellas County.
AUDIT is an official examination of an organization’s accounts by an independent party.
AUTOMATIC VEHICLE LOCATION is a geographic position reporting system used to
manage bus service.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 191
BALANCED BUDGET is the total amount available from taxation and other sources, including
balances brought forward from prior fiscal years, must equal the total of appropriations for
expenditures and reserves.
BEGINNING NET POSITION is the Ending Net Position of the previous period. (See ENDING
NET POSITION definition).
BUDGET is a plan of financial operation embodying an estimate of proposed expenditures for a
given period and the proposed means of funding them.
BUS RAPID TRANSIT (BRT) is an innovative, high capacity, lower cost public transit solution
that uses buses or specialized vehicles on roadways or dedicated lanes to quickly and efficiently
transport passengers to their destinations, while offering the flexibility to meet transit demand.
CAPITAL BUDGET is a formal plan of action for a specified time period for purchases of capital
assets using capital grants that is expressed in monetary terms.
CAPITAL ASSET is resources of a long-term character that are intended to continue to be held
used, such as land, buildings, machinery, equipment and improvements.
CAPITAL BUDGET is the financial plan of capital project expenditures for the fiscal year
beginning October 1. It incorporates anticipated revenues and appropriations included in the first
year of the five-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP), and any anticipated unspent budget
appropriation balances from the previous fiscal year. It is adopted as a part of the annual budget.
CAPITAL EXPENSE is the costs associated with the purchase of property, buildings, vehicles,
and infrastructure improvements. It can also include the costs associated with the long-term
maintenance of these assets such as bus overhaul programs, and preventative maintenance. It is
also referred to as a capital improvement.
CAPITAL GRANT is monies received from grantor funding agencies used to acquire, construct,
or rehabilitate capital assets.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP) is financial plan of approved capital projects with
their schedules and costs over a five-year period. The CIP is designed to meet capital asset needs
in a responsive and efficient manner.
CAPITAL PROJECT is any improvement or acquisition of major capital assets with a useful life
of at least five years such as equipment, buildings, or land.
CORRIDOR is a defined metropolitan area considered for significant transportation projects such
as highway improvements, bus transit ways, rail lines, bikeways, etc.
CONTINGENCY is a budgetary reserve set aside for emergencies for unforeseen expenditures.
Hillsborough Transit Authority FY25 Budget Book 192
DEPRECIATION is the allocation of the acquisition cost of a capital asset to each period
benefited by the asset, based on a limited useful life of the capital asset.
ENTERPRISE FUND is the fund established to account for operations that are financed and
operated in a manner similar to private business enterprises, where the intent of the governing body
is that the costs (expenses, including depreciation) of providing goods or services to the general
public on a continuing basis be financed or recovered primarily through user charges.
EXPRESS SERVICE is the use of express service that speeds up longer trips, especially in major
metropolitan areas during heavily patronized peak commuting hours, by operating long distances
without stopping. Examples include park-N-ride routes between suburban parking lots and the
central business district that operate on freeways, and express buses on major streets that operate
local service on the outlying portions of a route until a certain point and then operate non-stop to
the central business district. FARE is the amount charged to passengers for bus and paratransit
services.
FAREBOX is an electronic registering device used to collect and store fare media.
FARE CARD is electronic fare media used for payment of fares.
FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION (FTA) The FTA is HART’s federal cognizant
oversight agency. The FTA helps cities and communities provide mobility to their citizens.
Through its grant programs, FTA provides financial and planning assistance to help plan, build,
and operate rail, bus and Paratransit systems.
FISCAL YEAR (FY) is the Fiscal Year for HART (October 1st through September 30th). A
twelve-month period to which the annual operating budget applies, and at the end of which an
entity determines its’ financial position and the results of its operations.
FIXED ROUTE SERVICE is buses that operate according to fixed schedules and routes.
FLAMINGO FARES a regional payment system. It allows a rider to pay using a re-loadable
smart card or smartphone app, which can be used across participating transit agencies. Counties
currently participating in Flamingo Fares: Hillsborough (HART), and Pinellas (PSTA/Jolley
Trolley).
FLEX SERVICE is transit service that operates along a fixed alignment or path at generally fixed
times, but may deviate from the route alignment to collect or drop off passengers who have
requested the deviation. This service is also known as Deviated Fixed Route Service.
FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT (FTE) is one position funded for a full year. For example, a
permanent employee funded and paid for 40 hours/week and 52 weeks/year, or 2 employees
funded and paid for 20 hours/week and 52 weeks/year would be equal to one full-time equivalent.
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FUND is an accounting entity used to record cash and other financial resources as well as an
offsetting amount of liabilities and other uses. The resources and uses are segregated from other
resources and uses for the purpose of carrying on specific activities or attaining specific objectives
in accordance with special regulations, restrictions, or limitations.
FUNDED POSITIONS is a term referring to the number of authorized positions which funding
is included in each fiscal year’s budget.
FUNDING SOURCES is a term referring to the type or origination of funds to finance recurring
or nonrecurring expenditures. Examples include revenues such as ad valorem taxes, user fees, and
grants and non-revenues such as net position.
GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (GAAP). The generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) are a set of accounting rules, standards, and procedures issued and
frequently revised by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Public companies in the U.S.
must follow GAAP when their accountants compile their financial statements. GAAP is also
widely used in governmental accounting.
GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD (GASB) is the independent,
private-sector organization based in Norwalk, Connecticut, that establishes accounting and
financial reporting standards for U.S. state and local governments that follow Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (GAAP).
GRANTS AND AIDS includes all grants, subsidies, and contributions from other government
agencies or private organizations.
HEADWAY is the time span between service vehicles (bus or rail) on specified routes sometimes
called frequency. INFRASTRUCTURE is the basic installations and facilities on which the
continuance and growth of a community depend. For PSTA, this means such facilities as terminals,
transfer stations, Park-N-Ride lots, bus repair garage, fuel lane, etc.
INTELEGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM (ITS) includes signal timing coordination,
traffic monitoring devices, and dynamic message signs. Future planning includes communication
between vehicles and the transportation infrastructure.
INTERMODAL is transportation by more than one mode (bus, train, etc.) during a single journey.
METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (MPO) is an agency that provides long-
range transportation planning in Hillsborough County. This organization goes by Transportation
Planning Organization (TPO) in Hillsborough County.
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MILL is a monetary measure equating to one one-thousandth (0.001) of a dollar. When used in
reference to the AD VALOREM TAX RATE, it means a 1- mill tax is one dollar of tax on $1,000
of taxable value.
MILLAGE RATE is the rate per one thousand dollars of taxable property value which, when
multiplied by the taxable value, yields the tax billing for a given parcel.
MINIMUM SERVICE LEVEL (MSL) is a term which defines the base outputs which are either
legally mandated and/or considered the most important set of outputs of an organization. The
minimum service level corresponds directly to the purpose or mission of the organization.
MODE is a system for carrying transit passengers described by a specific right-of-way, technology
and operational features. HART utilizes the following modes: Bus, Demand Response, and Fixed
Guideway.
MSL is the effort expressed in terms of service and cost, below which it is not realistic or feasible
to operate.
MISCELLANEOUS (FUNDING SOURCE) is revenue other than those received from standard
sources such as taxes, grants and user fees.
OBJECTIVE is a statement specifying achievements to be attained within a prescribed time
frame. An objective is exchanged /superseded by another objective at the expiration of the time
frame.
OPERATING BUDGET is the budget including appropriations for recurring and certain one-
time expenditures that will be consumed in a fixed period of time to provide for day-to-day
operations (e.g., salaries and related benefits, operating supplies, contractual and maintenance
services, professional services, and operating equipment).
NET POSITION is the cumulative amount that has not been used by which total revenues
(including Public Funding) exceed total expenses over a series of years. Annual budget surpluses
(or deficits) generally add to (or subtract from) the Net Position. The non-capital asset portion of
net position balance is available to fund current or future operating or capital needs.
OFF PEAK is non-rush hour traffic periods.
OPERATING EXPENSES are Costs associated with the operation of the transit agency.
Examples of operating expenses include fuel, maintenance supplies, labor, professional fees, and
office supplies.
OPERATING REVENUES are income generated from transit services and from other activities
directly related to operations.
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PARATRANSIT SERVICE is non-fixed route transit service, utilizing vans and sedans to
provide pre-arranged trips to and from specific location within the service area to certified
participants in the program. Paratransit represents demand response transportation services.
PASS is a discounted type of media for fare payment, which offers unlimited rides for a specified
period of time. Examples include 31-day pass, 7- day pass, 1-day (daily) pass, etc.
PASSENGER MILES are the cumulative sum of the distances traveled by passengers.
PASSENGER VEHICLE is a vehicle used to carry passengers in transit service.
PEAK Rush hour periods, typically defined as 6:00AM through 9:00AM, and 3:00PM through
6:00PM, Monday through Friday.
PINELLAS SUNCOAST TRANSIT AUTHORITY (PSTA) is the neighboring transit agency
that serves St. Petersburg and Pinellas County.
PROJECTED EXPENSE is the estimated expense through the end of the current fiscal year for
a respective budget line item.
PROPERTY TAX is another term for AD VALOREM TAX. See AD VALOREM TAX.
RECOVERY RATIO is one of the key performance indicators, which measures the amount of
operating expense that was recovered from fare revenues. The ratio is calculated as fare revenues
divided by operating expenses excluding depreciation and other exempt expenses.
RESERVES are that portion of a fund’s assets that are (1) set aside for a specific purpose and
therefore, not available for general appropriation or (2) anticipated to be available for future re-
appropriation by action of the Board of Directors.
REVENUE SERVICE is the time when a vehicle is available to the general public and there is
an expectation of carrying passengers.
REVENUE VEHICLE is a vehicle in the fleet that is available to operate in revenue service,
including spares and vehicles temporarily out of service for routine maintenance and minor repairs.
RIDE is a trip taken by passengers on the bus.
ROLLED-BACK RATE is that millage rate which, when applied to the total amount of taxable
value of property (excluding new construction), produces the same amount of tax dollars as the
previous year. Calculation of the “rolled-back rate” is governed by Florida Statutes.
ROLLING STOCK is revenue vehicles used in providing transit service for passengers.
RUN is a bus operator’s assigned work for the day.
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SERVICE AREA is a measure of access to transit service in terms of population serviced and
area coverage (square miles).
TAXABLE VALUE is the assessed value of property minus any authorized exemptions (i.e.,
agricultural, homestead exemption). This value is used to determine the amount of ad valorem tax
to be levied. The TAXABLE VALUE is calculated by the Property Appraiser’s Office in
compliance with State Law.
TAXES are compulsory charges levied by a government to finance services performed for the
common benefit. TD is an acronym for Transportation Disadvantaged.
TRIP by bus is a one-way bus trip from originating terminal to destination terminal.
UNLINKED PASSENGER TRIP (UPT) is each boarding of a passenger is defined as an
unlinked passenger trip. Passengers are counted each time they board vehicles no matter how many
vehicles they use to travel from their origin to their destination.
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