The future of BTA has become a topic of public attention as local governing agencies have indicated that funding BTA into the future is a concern. The announcement by Uintah County Commissioners that the county will no longer fund BTA is misguided, however, according to the Chairman of the Uintah Transportation Special Service District. Chairman Duane Shepherd says funding for BTA in Uintah County has always come from the Transportation District, not the Uintah County budget. “The County has not funded one dime of BTA up to this point,” shares Shepherd. “[The Commissioners] are not the ones who make the decision of BTA or not; It is the Transportation District’s [decision] and it is our intention to fund BTA.” Shepherd says that budgeting constraints mean the Transportation District will have to decide if adjustments need to be made but that the future of BTA’s existence is not in question. “It may not be at the same level as in the past but we intend to fund it,” emphasizes Shepherd. “We understand the importance of this for people in the community who rely on BTA for work and livelihood.” Shepherd also emphasized that this situation illustrates the great importance of maintaining Special Service Districts in Uintah County.
