After one week on the job, Jefferson City's new transit director is assessing operations and hopeful he'll bring a "fresh perspective" to the role.
Mark Mehmert, formerly community development manager for the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, recently was named the city's new transit director and officially started the job Monday. He replaces Richard Turner, who served as transit director since 2004.
Mehmert said he applied for the position because his job at the chamber was ending and he saw an opportunity for what he described as "a natural fit." (The chamber has cut the community development position citing budget constraints that required the elimination of one full-time position to balance the operating budget.)
"I don't necessarily have an extensive background in transit. I do in transportation, and the concepts are similar," Mehmert said. "So it's a good fit."
Mehmert, who has a master's degree in business management, previously worked as partnership development manager at the Missouri Department of Transportation. He described his position there as working with public and private entities to find funding for projects. He noted the department had been called the innovative finance group at one time and though the name changed, the purpose stayed the same.
"A lot of it was innovative finance and ways that you could finance things that were a little unconventional," Mehmert said. "That's one of the things I do bring to the table, is that unconventional approach."
Mehmert said any ideas or new concepts brought in would have to be discussed and vetted by the City Council, as well as the new Public Transit Advisory Committee. Members of that committee are expected to be appointed Tuesday.
"There are a lot of moving parts that kind of fit together," Mehmert said. "I bring a fresh perspective, I think, because I am not necessarily wedded to some transit principles, perhaps, but I am definitely a supporter of transit."
Transit has been a somewhat difficult issue to tackle as some residents, including the group Citizens for JeffTran, call for expanded service, while city officials try to lower a roughly $1 million general fund subsidy for the service. Mehmert said two approaches can be taken: look at the need and find the budget figure that matches that, or set the budget and decide what can be done within that amount.
Mehmert said any decision will come from the City Council, but will include the input of the transit committee and residents.
"Transit is about connecting people and connecting them to the places that they need to go," Mehmert said. "Everyday activities that people need to do, that's what transit is about. It's really a very basic need."
Transit also is a function that is heavily regulated through the federal and state governments, which also provide about half the transit budget. Becoming familiar with those regulations is a daunting task for Mehmert, but he said he's working on becoming familiar with those and ensuring everything is done correctly so no grant funding is lost.
"You can have all the great intentions in the world, but without funding you're not going far," Mehmert said.
Public Works Director Matt Morasch said the number of regulations also is not a hindrance to flexibility within the system. He said there is room for innovation within the system while still abiding by federal and state rules. Morasch said that is one of the benefits to bringing on Mehmert, as he will bring new energy to investigate what is possible within the system, what would work and what wouldn't.
"He doesn't have a lot of preconceived notions," Morasch said.
Mehmert said he hopes to continue to advance the transit system's mission statement, which is to improve the overall quality of life by providing convenient, reliable and affordable transit. But Morasch added no big changes are coming right around the corner. Instead, it will be small improvements over time to try to provide the best transit system possible.
For right now, Mehmert characterized himself as being in assessment mode and trying to learn the basics for his new job. He noted the transit staff is an excellent resource and they have started conversations about past issues and new concepts for transit.
"It's definitely been very helpful to interact with staff," Mehmert said. "It is a lot to actually get things rolling along. ... I'm tremendously excited about it, frankly."