The Texoma Area Paratransit System is unable to pay its employees on time for the second time in just under three weeks.

TAPS spokesperson Dan Acree said 151 employees are affected this round; 140 in operations—drivers and call center employees—and 11 in facilities and maintenance. According to a TAPS email, billings have been submitting, funding is available and employees will paid as soon as possible. Employees will be updated daily on the status of their pay.

Interim Executive Director Tim Patton sent an email to employees Thursday stating the organization is in a "very tough place right now," adding that the board of directors and management team are "not going to give up."

"People are counting on TAPS —employees and customers— so we won’t go down without a fight," he said. "Cash flow is our enemy. We have money owed to us. TxDOT and NCTCOG are putting our payments at the top of the pile. They are doing all they can within the rules to help us get through this crisis."

Today, Patton took to the organizations webpage stating that though last week's missed payday brought zero "no-shows" from employees, he struggled with asking them to "keep coming to work without being paid as promised."

"This week, payroll is late again," he wrote. "Although I have made every effort to keep everyone updated on our financial situation, the information is never enough. For the past two paydays my hopes were high that we could get enough money into the bank to issue checks on time. Each time, money we expected to have did not materialize and we have been left short."

The next board of directors meeting will be held at 1 p.m. on Nov.13,  at the TCOG Building, 1117 Gallagher Drive, Sherman.

"The decisions made there will determine our future," Patton said. "I will keep you informed."

Collin County Commissioner Chris Hill said Monday TAPS would make up the missed payroll as soon as possible.