TO: Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John Titkanich, Jr.; County Administrator
THROUGH: Brian Freeman, AICP; MPO Staff Director
FROM: Mark Vietze, Senior Planner
DATE: June 4, 2025
SUBJECT: Request for Authorization to Submit an Application for Section 5311 Grant for Rural Transit
Operating Assistance Funds
__________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND
Each year, Indian River County receives transit operating assistance under 49 USC Ch. 53, Section 5311 (also known as the Formula Grants for Rural Areas program) through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). These grant funds have been passed through to the Senior Resource Association (SRA), Indian River County’s designated transit service provider.
According to federal regulations, Formula Grants for Rural Areas funds may be used to provide transit service to rural or small urban areas. Such transit service includes fixed route service (GoLine) and demand-response service (Community Coach).
ANALYSIS
Staff intends to apply for $180,000 in FY 2025/26 Section 5311 funds. If approved the Section 5311 grant will have a 50% nonfederal match requirement for operating assistance. Matching funds will consist of $90,000 from the state Public Transportation Block Grant and $90,000 from the County’s normal transit allocation. No additional local funds are necessary.
While Section 5311 funds are federal grant funds, FDOT administers the Section 5311 program within the state of Florida. To apply for Section 5311 funds, the Board of County Commissioners must adopt the attached resolution (Attachment #1), authorizing staff to submit the attached grant application to FDOT. A copy of the grant application is attached to this staff report (Attachment #2).
The County receives most of its transit funding through the federal Section 5307 (Urban Area) grant program. Because a portion of Indian River County is designated as rural, the County is also eligible to receive transit funding through the Section 5311 (Rural Area) grant program. The provision of rural transit service is consistent with the findings of the MPO’s adopted 10-year Transit Development Plan and 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $90,000 will be budgeted and available for FY 25/26 the General Fund /Community Transportation Coordinator/SRA, Acct# 0011041-088230-54001. Funding for this expenditure is part of the allocation given to the Senior Resource Association to provide transit service in the county.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTIONS
The Board has previously approved annual Section 5311 grant applications dating back to FY 09/10. For the current fiscal year (FY 24/25), the Board approved the Section 5311 grant application on August 20, 2024.
POTENTIAL FUTURE BOARD ACTIONS
To receive the Section 5311 grant funds, the Board will need approve a Public Transportation Grant Agreement (PTGA) with FDOT at a future meeting.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Quality of Life
OTHER PLAN ALIGNMENT
The operation of the transit system is consistent with the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transit Development Plan (TDP), which was most recently updated in 2023.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners adopt the resolution authorizing the filing of the Section 5311 grant application.