Chanute city commissioners said Monday they are prepared to help provide emergency funding to keep SEK-CAP, or Southeast Kansas Community Action Program. Services operating after officials announced they would have to suspend all routes beginning Thursday due to a budget shortfall.
Scott Christiansen, Transportation Director for SEK-CAP, told commissioners the organization is facing a $20,000 gap needed to fund operations through June. Without it, he said, service will shut down immediately.
“We’ve depleted all reserves,” Christiansen said. “Because of post-COVID price increases—roughly a 30% rise in vehicle costs—we simply can’t make up the difference.”
The transportation program serves six counties, including Neosho and Labette, offering rides for work, errands, and limited out-of-county medical trips. Christiansen said that the upcoming shutdown would affect local service in Chanute.
City manager Todd Newman asked whether the $20,000 would be sufficient to avoid a shutdown.
Christiansen said that amount would keep the service running five days a week. A reduced three-day schedule would require about $15,000 to $16,000.
Commissioner Kevin Berthot said he views the program as essential for the region, noting that many riders rely on it for basic access to work, medical care, and shopping.
“This is a vital service for our community,” Berthot said. “It concerns me as a commissioner to think about losing it.”
Berthot suggested the city consider contributing $15,000 if Neosho County Commissioners agreed to provide the remaining $5,000. Christiansen said the county has not indicated support at that level.
Newman said he believed the city could identify the funding if the commission chooses to move forward.
Christiansen said even short-term support would prevent a lapse in service.
“If we could bridge the gap between Thursday and the next commission meeting, we could technically keep going,” he said.
Commissioners asked Christiansen to bring back a formal funding request at their next regular meeting, Jan. 8. Christiansen said the agency should learn in April whether a forthcoming federal grant allocation will resolve future funding issues.
