TITLE:title
Grant Application - Transportation FY2028 5311 Administrative (Non-Urbanized Area Formula Program), FFY2026/FY2028 5307 Urban Area Formula Funding Grant, and Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) FY2027
body
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Theresa Torres, Human Services Agency Transportation Department Director, 704-283-3598
ACTION REQUESTED:
1) Adopt the FY28 Resolution; and 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 the 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:
September 21, 2026, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #26- 516- Conducted Public Hearing- FY2028 5311 Administrative Transportation Grant Application and FFY2026 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Funding Grant Application
BACKGROUND:
The Human Services Agency Transportation Department seeks approval to submit applications for three 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:
5311 Administrative Grant (FY2028)
The annual 5311 Administrative (Non-Urbanized Area Formula Program) is intended to provide financial assistance in support of public transportation services which are open to the general public on a regular and continuing basis, and to enable maximum feasible coordination with other rural transportation services. 5311 funds can be used for the costs of transit planning activities, transit operations, and the purchase of capital equipment or facilities to aid in the provision of transit services in rural and small urban areas, as well as provide funds for state-level administration activities. Union County Transportation's 5311 application is submitted only for administrative expenses and includes no operational components.
After submission, our NCDOT Mobility Specialist will review the 5311 Administrative application and provide a recommendation to the NC Board of Transportation, which is responsible for determining the final award amounts.
The federal share for eligible 5311 administration costs may not exceed 80% of the net cost of the project. The State share is 5%, and the local share is 15% of eligible costs. However, State funding is subject to State appropriations and availability of funds. Historically, State funds have been made available, but starting in FY2021, NCDOT directed local governments to be prepared to cover the full 20% share, assuming State funds may not be available.
Union County's FY2028 5311 Administrative funding level will be $284,825 (if approved as submitted), which is 80% Federal ($227,860), 5% State ($14,241), and 15% local ($42,724).
This application for 5311 Administrative funds covers a one-year period of performance from July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2028.
5307 Urban Area Formula Funding Grant (FFY26)
The 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Funding program makes federal resources available to urbanized areas for transit capital and operating assistance in urbanized areas and for transportation-related planning. Eligible 5307 activities include planning, engineering, design, and evaluation of transit projects and other technical transportation-related studies; capital investments in bus and bus-related activities such as replacement, overhaul, and rebuilding of buses, crime prevention and security equipment and construction of maintenance and passenger facilities; and capital investments in new and existing fixed guideway systems including rolling stock, overhaul and rebuilding of vehicles, track, signals, communications, and computer hardware and software. All preventive maintenance and some Americans with Disabilities Act complementary paratransit service costs are considered capital costs. Operating assistance is only an eligible expense for urbanized areas with populations less than 200,000.
5307 funds allocated to the Charlotte urbanized area are distributed using a formula that considers population, bus fleet, and transit service provided in its urbanized area outside of Charlotte, which includes the remainder of Mecklenburg County, Iredell County, York County, and Union County.
Based on the current distribution formula created by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)/Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority (MPTA) and approved by the Charlotte Regional Transit Planning Organization (CRTPO), Union County will receive up to $1,542,387 in Federal 5307 funds. This funding will be used for both operating expenses, which require a 50% local match, and capital expenses, which require a 20% local match.
The Federal Fiscal Year FFY26 5307 Grant is initially awarded for a 1-year period of performance, but that may be extended if needed to enable it to be drawn down for a period of five years after the start of the award's federal fiscal year.
Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) FY2027
ROAP is a State-funded, formula-based program administered by the NC Department of Transportation - Integrated Mobility Division (NCDOT-IMD). Union County expects to receive $276,384 in FY27 ROAP funding to support operating costs only (no administrative or capital expenses) for eligible trips in the following categories:
• Elderly & Disabled Transportation Assistance Program (EDTAP) - $118,946
• Employment Transportation Assistance Program (EMPL) - $53,260
• Rural General Public (RGP) - $104,178
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Section 5311 Administrative (Non-Urbanized Area Formula Program) - FY2028
• Total Grant Request: $284,825
o Federal Share (80%): $227,860
o State Share (5%): $14,241
o Local Share (15%): $42,724
• Projected revenue and local share expenditures will be included in the proposed FY 2028 budget
Section 5307 Grant - FFY26_FY28
• Operating Request: $1,562,476
o Federal Share (50%): $781,238
o Local Match (50%): $781,238
• Capital Request: $951,437
o Federal Share (80%): $761,149
o Local Match (20%): $190,288
• Total Local Match Required for 5307 Grant - $971,526
Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) - FY2027
• Total Funding: $276,384
o Local Match Required: None
• This funding is budgeted accordingly for FY2027