A resolution to approve emergency funding for Forest Lake-to-Minneapolis commuter buses led to a vigorous debate at the Washington County board meeting Tuesday over who should pay for public transit.

Commissioners voted to delay their decision on whether to contribute about $45,000 to keep the buses running until they had a clearer idea who's benefiting from the service and who's paying for it.

Federal funding ends Thursday when the new Interstate 35W bridge opens, but bus service will continue through September and possibly longer.

Washington, Chisago and Anoka counties are working with the Metropolitan Council to figure out a solution for Route 288, which quickly became popular with east-metro commuters. Buses started running in January and ridership has grown to the point that two of them are standing-room only.

The Met Council has proposed funding a quarter of the subsidy for the last three months of the year, with each of the three counties paying one-quarter share.

But Washington County commissioners -- at least three of whom stated their willingness to support the Forest Lake buses through this year -- balked when they looked at operating costs that could exceed $500,000 next year. They also seemed troubled at the prospect of a county subsidy for a proposed bus commuter line from Forest Lake to St. Paul, expected to begin in January.

Commissioners Bill Pulkabrek and Gary Kriesel, who voted in April against a sales tax to fund public transit, again questioned the function of the Counties Transit Improvement Board, formed to decide how revenue from that tax in five counties would be spent. Frustration with the CTIB has festered in Washington County because commissioners think the $1 million or so the county is guaranteed for each of the next three years isn't enough to keep the Forest Lake-to-Minneapolis buses in operation and also launch much-needed transit services.

"The whole argument with CTIB is that it would take transit off the back of property taxpayers," said Kriesel, stating his concern that the county shouldn't pull money out its own pocket for such projects.

In addition, several of the commissioners wondered aloud why the cities of Forest Lake and Hugo hadn't joined the metropolitan transit taxing district, formed years ago to help pay for metro bus service.

Commissioners are expected to vote next week on the proposed short-term subsidy for the Forest Lake to Minneapolis buses. They asked County Administrator Jim Schug for more research on financing implications.

Kevin Giles • 651-298-1554