Suwannee Valley Transit Authority Interim Administrator Teresa Fortner announced during a Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10, that she would be stepping down from the interim position at the end of March and seeks another position with the agency. Fortner had previously agreed to remain in the position “due to the uncertainty of our financial situation,” she wrote in a letter regarding her decision.

Fortner asked the Board to advertise the administrator position as soon as possible, hoping it will be filled by April 1. Fortner stated she would not apply for the position.

“After 25 years of service, it is my hope that I will be able to stay with Suwannee Valley Transit in some capacity,” wrote Fortner.

Layoffs at SVTA are also underway with six employees set to lose their jobs in March, leaving about 25 other jobs in place.

“The Board voted to adopt cost-saving measures and reallocate some funds as a result of the reduction in staffing,” said SVTA Board Chairman Jason Bashaw on Wednesday.

The layoff decision came after the reorganization of Medicaid legislation in Florida last year crippled the SVTA’s revenue stream and left them facing a complete shutdown. Commissioners in the counties SVTA services – Suwannee, Hamilton, and Columbia – gave the agency a one-time financial boost in December 2014 to keep SVTA afloat until March 1. Even with this boost, SVTA officials agreed some layoffs would have to occur in order to continue operations.

Bashaw stated that all employees had received a two weeks notice that there would be layoffs, and those employees getting laid off had received 60 day notices. The staff reduction measure should put the SVTA on the track to financial security without further layoffs, said Bashaw.

“Based on projections of revenues and expenses, it doesn’t appear that there will be another round of layoffs,” said Bashaw. “I’m very encouraged by the numbers shown to us.”