WESTERNPORT — Allegany County Transit Chief Jim Stafford requested on Wednesday the elimination of Saturday service for the rest of the fiscal year, citing a need to cut more than $250,000, or 13 percent, from this year’s budget.

Stafford spoke during the county commissioners’ public meeting at Westernport’s municipal building. He followed a positive presentation in which the commissioners recognized resident Bill Kenny for his role in bringing medevac helicopter service to Allegany County.

Stafford changed the mood quickly, however, by presenting what he called “disturbing news” to those in attendance. The current budget year, which ends June 30, faces a revenue shortfall of $221,000, due in large part to the loss of a key Jobs Access grant through the state Department of Social Services. The state agency redirected the funds elsewhere, Stafford said.

“That was a shock to us,” Stafford said. “We projected money there that didn’t happen.”

Stafford noted the cuts were announced only recently — and several months after the county approved its budget in May. Commissioner Dale Lewis didn’t agree with state agencies acting in such a manner.

“I don’t think it’s fair,” Lewis said of shifting the burden of the cost of providing the services to local governments.

In addition to cutting Saturday routes, which could save a combined $88,248.18 in labor and fuel, Stafford said the division is able to cut another $51,596.50 in “line item cuts.”

“We were basically bare bones before,” Stafford said. “It’s really bare bones now.”

Commissioner Jim Stakem said he appreciated Stafford’s efforts to rein in expenses.

“You’re doing what we expect our department heads to do ... in these tough times,” he said.

The one-time use of federal stimulus funds, which totaled $916,600, largely covered capital projects, including a new weather shelter for the Transit fleet ($200,000). Nearly half of the $250,000 received through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act can be used for preventive maintenance services, including the cost of labor for much of the maintenance fleet.

But that can’t be figured into the next budget operating year that begins July 1, Stafford said.

“We know that’s going to be another tough year,” he said.

Possible courses of action beginning July 1 include eliminating nursing home transportation. For-profit nursing homes offer transportation as part of their amenities, Stafford said, which lessens the needs. In addition, Transit could eliminate “grandfathered-in” clients on Alltrans that continue to ride despite being within three-quarters of a mile walking distance to a bus stop on an existing route.

The commissioners could vote to accept Stafford’s request at their Jan. 14 public meeting at 11 a.m. at the County Office Complex on Kelly Road.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.