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: FY 2025 Grant Application for Capital and Operating Assistance (Section 5307) and Bus
Replacement (Section 5339) from the Federal Transit Administration
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BACKGROUND
The Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Section 5307 (Urban Area Formula Grant) program provides funding assistance for capital and operating costs associated with Indian River County’s public transportation system. The GoLine (fixed route) and the Community Coach (demand response) transit services are operated by the Senior Resource Association (SRA) under contract with the county. Indian River County also receives capital funding assistance through FTA’s Section 5339 (Bus and Bus Facilities) program, which is used for the purchase of replacement buses.
Together, the Section 5307 and 5339 programs cover nearly all the capital expenses associated with the GoLine and Community Coach. In addition, the Section 5307 program covers approximately half of the operating costs of the public transportation system, with the remainder covered by Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) grants and local funds.
ANALYSIS
According to federal regulations, Section 5307 program grants may be used for the planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, and operating costs of facilities, equipment, and associated capital maintenance items used in public transportation. Operating expenses require a 50% nonfederal match, which is provided through a combination of local funds and FDOT public transportation grant funds.
For capital expenses, FDOT toll revenue credits are used as a 20% nonfederal soft match (which effectively provides for 100% federal funding of capital expenses). The use of a soft match eliminates the need for the County t...
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