GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Council on Aging of Clay County is turning to a familiar face on an interim basis to oversee its transportation losses of about $17,000 a month.

Renee Knight, the Council’s executor director from 2001-2007, started last Friday. She is currently ElderSource’s Director of Community Services.

“I will do my best to give you all and the Council on Aging the most information and try my best to make this work for our seniors,” Knight said.

On Knight’s end, she said the council was attempting to evaluate scaling back the organization’s flex line and the council’s contracts with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and Department of Transportation contracts, who assist with funding some routes.

The Council on Aging’s Board President John Bowles told county commissioners at the Oct. 23 BCC meeting that Knight was more than capable for the job. The board terminated the contract of former Executive Director Al Rizer last week.

“If anybody understands our community, our agency’s mission and our business operation, it’s Renee. We are delighted to have her on board,” Bowles said. “She’s going to provide our organization with the expertise and support we need in this time of transition.”

County Auditor Mike Price gave commissioners a breakdown of money the Council needs to keep transportation afloat while developing a plan of controlled phasing out of flex lines over a six-month period.

Price said the council needs $20,000 a month and $25,000 for fuel. In addition, he asked commissioners to forgive $165,893 in fuel and maintenance costs.

“With their cash position currently, I don’t think the board stands that much a chance of earning those monies anyway, so this basically represents a recognition of reality,” Price said.

Commissioners agreed to provide the $45,000 for operating expenses and fuel and vehicle maintenance for November.

CCOA Board Vice President and former Clay County Commissioners Wendell Davis said the council was in the process of “untangling a spider-web.” But with the county, council and ElderSource meeting weekly, he said they would work for the next 30 days to develop a six-month plan and assess flex lines and contracts thoroughly.

“In 30 days, we may not have all the answers, or have it solved. But we will certainly talk more intelligently,” Davis said.

County Manager Stephanie Kopelousos, the former state Department of Transportation secretary, said officials would meet with Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged.

“They understand what position we’re in and they understand what the goal is,” Kopelousos said. “I think they’re going to help us get to that point we need to get to.”

Commissioners agreed to a funding agreement with the Council, with the understanding there would be amendments based on future meetings of the agencies. Commissioners Wayne Bolla and Mike Cella said cutting senior services was out of the question, but a concrete plan to curb transportation losses was imminent.

Price added the Teal Line – which serves the Keystone Heights area – had about a $76,000 net loss per year and the Magenta Line had near $98,000 in losses. When commissioners asked Price how the problem started, he said management turnover combined with a decline in flex line revenue led to the perilous financial situation.

“Mostly you have flex line revenue that isn’t sufficient to cover flex line costs,” Price said. “In every other activity, they’ve got they’re covering their costs.”