What is the STIF Advisory Committee?
In July 2020 the Senate Bill 1601 was passed during the First Special Session of the Oregon State Legislature and directed the consolidation of the Special Transportation Fund (STF)program with the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) program, by July 1, 2023. On September 16, 2020 the Hood River County Transportation District Board (HRCTD) Board made the decision to combine the STF and STIF Advisory committees to create the STIF Advisory Committee to align with the combining of the two programs.
The STF was created in 1985 by the Oregon Legislature and was originally funded with a $.01 per pack cigarette tax. In 1989, this tax was raised to $.02. Today, STF is funded by cigarette tax revenue, as well as excess revenue earned from sales of photo ID cards and other funds from ODOT or as directed by the Legislature. The Legislature intended that STF funds be used to provide transportation services needed to access health, education, work, social, and recreational opportunities so that seniors and people with disabilities may live as independently and productively as possible. Hood River County has received about $67,000/year in STF formula funds and has typically received some funding each year for capital and other projects.
Section 122 of House Bill 2017* provides statewide funding for public transportation service from a payroll tax of one-tenth of one percent on wages paid to employees. Proceeds from the payroll tax are deposited into the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF). The STIF Formula Fund is intended to expand and improve public transportation services for current
and future transit users.
The purpose of the Committee is to:
- Assist the Hood River County Transportation District on matters that pertain to the needs of individuals and persons with disabilities and seniors in Hood River County, to encourage and promote services that meet those needs, and to advocate for a range of services that directly affect the welfare of those who desire or require those services.
- Assist the Board in tasks and duties supporting local and regional transportation services funded through the State Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) and allocated to Hood River County Transportation District, for distribution to Public Transportation Service Providers within and adjacent to Hood River County.
The Advisory Committee defines the poverty rate threshold for Hood River County as Census block groups within the County that have 15% or more of households with an income level that is 200% or less of the federal poverty standards.
Bylaws_Adopted 9.21.2022
STIF Advisory Committee Members
The Advisory Committee has a minimum of five (5) members to a maximum of seven (7) members to represent Hood River County, ensuring that all of Hood River County is represented. Each member is appointed by the HRCTD Board for a period of three (3) years. The Advisory Committee meets a minimum of two (2) times per year but may meet more frequently to carry out the purposes of the committee.
The Board has also invited two individuals to serve as Ex-officio members of the Committee. Ex-officio members are allowed to participate in the Committee discussion and weigh in on the project list – but they cannot vote:
Kathy Fitzpatrick – Mobility Manager, MCEDD
Jessica Metta – Executive Director, MCEDD
| Member | Organization | Representative | Term |
| Kevin Liburdy | City of Hood River | Jurisdictional | July 2022 – June 2025 |
| OPEN | Hood River Valley School District | Youth Representative | |
| Lexi Stickel | Medicare Transportation Provider | CCO & Low-Income Individuals, Individuals with a Disability Representative | July 2020 – June 2023 |
| Gisela Ayala Echeverria | CAT Board Member | Low-Income Individuals, Individuals with a Disability, Seniors Representative | July 2022 – June 2025 |
| Kate Garrison | Providence – Dethman House | Low-Income Individuals, Individuals with a Disability, Seniors Representative | July 2024 – June 2027 |
| Meghan Larivee | CAT Board Member | Public Transit Provider Representative | July 2023 – June 2026 |
| Eleazar Reyes | CAT Board Member | Latino, Low-Income, Environmental & Public Transit Provider Representative, Seniors or individuals with a Disability Representative | July 2023 – June 2026 |
If you are interested in becoming a Advisory Committee member please contact Amy Schlappi at (541)978-8066 or amy.schlappi@catransit.org.
Meetings
Previous Meeting Documents
Meeting Materials 10.17.24
Meeting Minutes 10.17.24
Meeting Materials 8.06.24
Meeting Minutes 8.06.2024
Meeting Materials 11.30.23
Meeting Minutes 11.30.23
Meeting Materials_5.03.23
Meeting Minutes 5.03.2023
Meeting Minutes_12.07.22
Meeting Materials_12.7.22
Meeting Minutes_11.1.22
Meeting Materials_11.1.22
Meeting Minutes_1.08.21
Meeting Materials_1.08.21
Meeting Minutes_12.4.2020
Meeting Materials_12.4.2020
Meeting Minutes_10.12.2020
Meeting Materials_10.12.20
Meeting Minutes_9.11.2020
Meeting Materials_9.11.2020
STIF Plan 2025-2027
FY25-27 STIF Plan Resolution
FY25-27 STIF Plan Project List
FY25-27 STIF Committee Definition Areas of High Percentage of Low Income Households
STIF Plan 2023-2025
FY23-25 STIF Plan Resolution
FY23-25 STIF Plan Project List
FY23-25 STIF Committee Definition Areas of High Percentage of Low Income Households
STIF Plan 2021-2023
FY21-23 STIF Plan Resolution
FY21-23 STIF Plan
FY21-23 STIF Plan Project List
FY21-23 STIF Committee Definition Areas of High Percentage of Low Income Households
STIF Plan 2019-2021
FY19-2021 STIF Plan Resolution
FY19-21 STIF Plan
FY 19-21 STIF Project List
FY19-21 STIF Committee Definition Areas of High Percentage of Low Income Households
