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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Controversy regarding cuts at the Transit Authority continues.

KTVO talked with Ottumwa City Councilman Brian Morgan to see if the city had any power in the decision.

Councilman Morgan said the City of Ottumwa provides more than $300.000 to the Transit Authority’s annual budget of $3.1 million.

Morgan said the council does not deal with the nuts and bolts of the organization, but he thinks the council should talk with the Transit Authority’s board of trustees.

“I think as a city, I think we need to just reassess what we are giving them and I think we need to have some talks with the trustees and see where our money is going and is it going for good use,” Morgan said.

Morgan said the move appears at bad publicity after director Pam Ward received a 23% raise last year. Morgan questioned the high percentage of the raise last year.

“It’s wasn’t a question of her qualifications. She does her job, she does a great job, but 23% was too much at one time,” Morgan said.

The demotion from full time to part time can put a big strain on the families.

“There’s going to be two gentlemen, two hardworking guys that have been in Ottumwa Transit for several years now, without health insurance. If something happens, and COBRA is no cheap to pick up, that definitely bothers me the most,” Morgan said.

Morgan wonders if Ward and the board of trustees exhausted every option.

“To take health insurance away is a pretty big step. Now I know there are times things have to be done, but I think possibly there are other ways of looking at cuts,”

Morgan said he hopes the board will re-consider the move.

Union representative for the drivers are expected to be at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.