The Jackson County Transit Advisory Board serves as the advisory body to Jackson County Transit as lead agency in the operation of public transportation in the county.  Advises on all public transportation matters including proposed routes, service changes, ridership policies, fare structures, funding and budgets. 

 

The Transportation Advisory Board meets quarterly on the 3rd Wednesday at 1:30 PM at Jackson County Transit, 1148 Haywood Rd, Sylva, NC 28779.

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BOARD MEMBERS:

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Chairperson: Si Simmons, Mountain Projects

Director: Rene Moore, Jackson County Transit

Assistant Director: Zack Beck, Jackson County Transit

James Davis, Department on Aging

Chuck Oaks, Disability Partners

Chris Weatherford, Dept. of Social Services

Kevin Tafoya, ECBI Transit

Sheila Setzer, Veterans Services, Department on Aging

Jenny Hooper, Jackson County Board of Commissioners

Kevin King, Jackson County Manager

Darlene Fox, Jackson County Finance Director

Sarajane Melton, Southwestern Commission

Cristian Mireles, Community Paramedic

German Vivas, Public Board Member
 

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Jackson County Transportation Board Minutes 

November 19th, 2025 1:30 p.m.

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Old Business: 

 

➤ Performance Review:  Rene’ Moore stated the Agency Trip Count for July thru September showed a rise in trips, primarily due
     to an increase in ridership among the Trolley Service during those three months.

 

➤ Board Member Updates:  Jackson County Board of Commissioners voted to reappoint Kevin Tafoya and to appoint Cristian
     Mireles to the Transit Board.

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New Business: 

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➤ Grant applications were submitted on October 1st .

 

➤ Compliance Review completed on November 14th, 2025.  As of this moment, no findings were found during the review.  A few best practices             were recommended throughout the review, listed below are ones that were updated.

• Updated blue handicap stickers for all of the transit vans.

• 5-year capital improvement plan.

• Procurement records for 2 Nissan pathfinders, adding to show all three of the bids.

• Tab Board bylaws added to Compliance Review Smartsheet.

• Certificates for each employee at Safety Works.

• Surrounding counties Web Site links are to be added to the Jackson County Transit website.

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➤ Jackson County Transit was involved in an Emergency Services full scale exercise at Cashiers Recreation Department, going over

     the process of the transit in assisting during the emergency services.

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➤ Rene’ was featured in an interview by Mountain Stream TV providing insights into the history of Jackson County Transit, its funding

     sources, and the everyday operations of the Transit System.