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Grant Application - Transportation FY2026 Rural Operating Assistance Program, FY2027 Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program and FY2027 FTA 5303 Transit Planning Grant
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Theresa Torres, Human Services Agency, Transportation Director, 704-283-3598
ACTION REQUESTED:
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 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 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:
1. Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) - FY26
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 $278,783 in FY26 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) - $125,890
• Employment Transportation Assistance Program (EMPL) - $46,526
• Rural General Public (RGP) - $106,367
Funds may cover up to 100% of the fully allocated trip cost with no local match required. While EDTAP funds must remain in their designated category, EMPL and RGP funds may be transferred to any program. The period of performance for these funds is July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026, regardless of the date on which ROAP funds are disbursed to the County.
Eligibility:
• EDTAP: Participants must be either age 60+ or have a physical or mental impairments that substantially limits one or more major life activities, per NC G.S. Article 2B, 136-44.27.
• EMPL: Recipients must meet one of the following criteria: (1) DSS client who transitioned off Work First or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in the last 12 months; (2) Workforce Development Program participant; (3) Any resident who needs transportation to work, employment training or other related destinations whose work schedule and destination can be accommodated by the local transit system; (4) A child who requires transport to daycare in conjunction with an eligible parent’s trip to work.
• RGP: Recipients must reside in a non-urbanized area of the County and need transport for any reason (E.g. medical appointment, educational opportunity, employment, personal business). Additionally, RGP recipients (1) must not qualify under a Human Service Agency to receive transportation or (2) their supporting Human Service Agency must have expended all transportation funding and no longer be able to fund trips.
County governments are the only eligible applicants for ROAP funds, and the County Financial Officer is the DOT-mandated person responsible for overseeing the funding.
2. Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities - Section 5310 Grant - FY27
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, 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), and our local agreement will be with the City of Charlotte. Transportation staff have the capability to manage this grant and have been receiving and managing this 5310 funding since January 2016. FY27 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 FY27 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 purchase of one (1) 22’ Light Transit Vehicle (LTV) with lift and related equipment.
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.
3. Transit Planning Program - Section 5303 Grant - FY27
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 $174,411 of FY2027 5303 funds, funding is 80% Federal, 10% State, and 10% local match. Funds cover a one (1)-year period of performance from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
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:
1. Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) - FY2026
• Total Funding: $278,783
• Local Match Required: None
• This funding is budgeted accordingly for FY2026
2. Section 5310 Grant - FY2027
• Operating Request: $288,000 (two-year period: July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2029)
o Federal Share (50%): $144,000
o Local Match (50%): $144,000
• Capital Request: $147,878
o Federal Share (80%): $118,301
o Local Match (20%): $29,577
• Total Local Match Required for 5310 Grant: $173,577
3. Section 5303 Planning Grant - FY2027
• Total Grant Request: $174,411
o Federal Share (80%): $139,529
o State Share (10%): $17,441
o Local Share (10%): $17,441
• Projected revenue and local share expenditures will be included in the proposed FY2027 budget.