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Grant Application - FY2028 Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program and FY2028 FTA 5303 Transit Planning Grant
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Theresa Torres, Human Services Agency, Transportation Director, 704-283-3598
ACTION REQUESTED:
1) Adopt the local share certification 2) Authorize the County Manager to submit the associated grant applications and make necessary assurances and certifications associated with the grant applications as substantially consistent with this agenda item, which includes the authorization to execute documents, or delegate electronic execution of documents when use of the federal award management system is required, related to the award of the grants and budget funds as appropriate.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
None.
BACKGROUND:
The Human Services Agency Transportation Department seeks approval to submit applications for two grant programs to support the continued provision and planning of public transportation services for eligible residents, particularly seniors, individuals with disabilities, and residents in rural areas. The grants include:
1. Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities - Section 5310 Grant - FY28
The Section 5310 program (49 U.S.C. 5310) provides formula funding to states to assist private nonprofit groups in meeting the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities when transportation service is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meet the needs of these residents. The 5310 program aims to remove barriers to transportation services and expand mobility options for seniors and individuals with disabilities by supporting services planned, designed, and carried out to meet the unique transportation needs of these residents in all areas - large urbanized (over 200,000), small urbanized (50,000-200,000), and rural (under 50,000). Funds are apportioned based on each state's share of the population, and then direct recipients manage and distribute funds to sub-recipient projects.
The Human Services Agency Transportation Division will submit the grant application as a sub-recipient through the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)/Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority (MPTA), and our local agreement will be with the City of Charlotte. Transportation staff can manage this grant and have received and managed this 5310 funding since January 2016. FY28 grant funding will allow us to continue meeting the needs of current and future residents who are eligible for services under this funding structure. Our goal is to serve over 200 seniors aged 65 and older and/or individuals with disabilities currently being served by our system under this funding.
The FY28 grant application will include:
Operations Funding (Demand Response Service):
• 50% Federal / 50% Local match
• Union County will use its Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) funds to meet the local match requirement.
Capital Funding:
• 80% Federal / 20% Local match
• Request includes covering the Administrative Professional II’s salary as the Mobility Manager
The performance period is for two funding years, meaning funds awarded during a given fiscal year can be drawn down for two years after the start of the award's fiscal year.
2. Transit Planning Program - Section 5303 Grant - FY28
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5303 federal transportation funding authorizations are allocated each year by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). 5303 funds are managed locally by the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO), the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Charlotte Urbanized Area (UZA). 5303 funding helps UZAs plan for the development, improvement, and effective management of their transportation systems, focusing on planning and administrative activities.
Union County Transportation requests approval to apply for $197,089 of FY2028 5303 funds; funding is 80% Federal, 10% State, and 10% local match. Funds cover a one (1)-year period of performance from July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2028.
The Human Service Agency Transportation Department plans to use the funding associated with this grant to complete multiple tasks, including:
• Data and Planning Support - Ridership analysis, socio-economic analysis, route analysis.
• Public Participation - Rider Surveys.
• Statewide & Extra Regional Planning - Interagency coordination, state and regional coordination.
• Management, Operations & Program Support Administration - grant development, attending regional and state events.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Section 5310 Grant - FY2028
• Operating Request: $300,000 (two-year period: July 1, 2028 - June 30, 2030)
o Federal Share (50%): $150,000
o Local Match (50%): $150,000
• Capital Request: $147,878
o Federal Share (80%): $71,314
o Local Match (20%): $17,829
• Total Local Match Required for 5310 Grant: $167,829
Section 5303 Planning Grant - FY2028
• Total Grant Request: $197,089
o Federal Share (80%): $157,671
o State Share (10%): $19,709
o Local Share (10%): $19,709
Projected revenue and local share expenditures will be included in the proposed FY2028 budget.