OTTUMWA, IOWA -- KTVO News has learned that on Wednesday morning the City of Ottumwa will assume control over the troubled Ottumwa Transit Authority. 

OTA has been under the direction of Pam Ward and Tom Jones; but just Friday morning both were fired; prior to that both were on administrative leave.

This comes after a report from the Iowa State Auditor’s office suggested that OTA had been altering employee timesheets and inflating ridership numbers.

The city is taking action now so that they can show the Iowa Department of Transportation that they are making changes.  I-DOT had suggested that if the city did not take action, the contract for bus service in and around Ottumwa would not be renewed at the end of June.

KTVO spoke with City Council Member Mitch Niner Sunday afternoon.  Council Member Niner informed KTVO that during the city council meeting Tuesday evening, the council will essentially vote to change a city ordinance which will place the Ottumwa Transit Authority under the supervision of the city.

The city council is urging the public to attend the meeting Tuesday evening.