County commissioners discuss next steps in CAT funding dispute

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Chatham County commissioners held a special meeting Friday to address an ongoing dispute with Chatham Area Transit that has threatened funding for public transportation services.

The board met in executive session for more than an hour with six attorneys to discuss a lawsuit filed by CAT. Chairman Chester Ellis said commissioners worked out next steps and reviewed the board’s strengths and weaknesses in the case.

Ellis previously threatened to pull the county’s funding for paratransit services after the state reduced the county’s representation on the board that oversees CAT. The county threatened to pull funding from CAT and its services in November after months of disagreement.

“You’re hurting the everyday people who need public transportation,” Ellis said.

Ellis said the board has received complaints about CAT’s paratransit service, including issues with patients missing medical appointments.

“It’s about the complaints they are getting from doctors, clinics, patients in paratransit not getting to their appointments on time,” Ellis said. “So we need to get to the bottom of why that is because the county pays for paratransit one hundred percent.”

Ellis urged CAT to drop the lawsuit to focus on serving residents.

“We need to resolve this sooner rather than later, and the quickest way for us to resolve this is for the present CAT board to drop this lawsuit,” Ellis said.

The lawsuit is being decided by the Court of Appeals. Ellis said all paperwork has been filed and a decision will not come until April.

Chatham Area Transit will hold its own special meeting on the matter Monday at noon.