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
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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 recei...
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