As a past Director of the SHD Board(2002-2018), I continue to observe the districts operation, frequently using the California Public Records Act to obtain documents. My latest CPRA request was for records provided to SHD by Peninsula Volunteers. These are submitted monthly in a spreadsheet detailing ride information, and are accompanied by invoices. The SHD, rather than providing me with an electronic copy of the submissions, printed out the spreadsheet for March, 2019 on 11" x 17" paper(two sheets required to fit all fields). The most significant fact which was readily apparent, was that one individual was taking 5 round trips weekly, amassing a $971 total for the month.
From the Peninsula Volunteers website Web Link I found that their "LYFT Concierge Service" also receives funding from Bank of America and the County of San Mateo Measure-K. But, that additional funding only applies to non residents of SHD! Remember Measure K? It's the half percent sales tax we all pay.
Checking with the county, I found that Supervisor Don Horsley used $10,000 of his $1.75 million "distict specific" Measure K funds for this subsidy. Not fair, Don! SHD residents deserve their fair share.
Now the SHD wants to budget $65,000 this year for the Lyft subsidy. They should put limits on usage as the City of San Mateo does with it's Get-Around-Senior-Transportation-Program Web Link
