TO: Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
THROUGH: Brian Freeman, AICP, MPO Staff Director
FROM: Mark Vietze, Senior Planner
DATE: November 4, 2025
SUBJECT: Approval of a Public Transportation Grant Agreement (PTGA) with the Florida
Department of Transportation (FDOT) for a Section 5311 Grant
__________________________________________________________________
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
For FY 2025/26, $44,809 in Section 5311 funds are allocated to the County. In this case, the grant has a 50% nonfederal match requirement for operating assistance. Matching funds will consist of $22,404.50 from the state Public Transportation Block Grant and $22,404.50 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. In order to receive these funds, the BCC must enter into a Public Transportation Grant Agreement (PTGA) with FDOT, a copy of which 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 attached resolution (Attachment 1) authorizes the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners to execute the PTGA for Formula Grants for Rural Areas funds. Upon the Board's adoption of the resolution and the Chairman’s execution of the PTGA, County staff will transmit the PTGA to FDOT. Once the PTGA has been executed by FDOT, the funds will be transmitted to the County and passed along to the Senior Resource Association (SRA), the County’s public transportation provider, so that the SRA can continue providing fixed route and demand-response transit service to rural areas of the county. The provision of such service is consistent with the findings of the MPO’s adopted 10-year Transit Development Plan and 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
Grant revenue and expense, in the amount of $44,809, will be allocated via budget amendment to the General Fund /Community Transportation Coordinator/Senior Resource Association account, number 0011041-088230-54001. These funds are part of the allocation given to the Senior Resource Association to provide transit service in the County.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTIONS
The Board approved staff to apply for these Section 5311 funds at the regularly scheduled Board meeting on June 17, 2025.
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 2025.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve the Public Transportation Grant Agreement and adopt the resolution authorizing the Chairman to sign the agreement.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Authorizing Resolution for the Execution of a Public Transportation Grant Agreement
2. FDOT Public Transportation Grant Agreement