Zebulon approves Smart Ride interlocal agreement and $55,000 bridge payment to avoid service disruption

The Zebulon board voted to approve a renewed interlocal agreement for Smart Ride Northeast and a related budget amendment that adds $55,000 to cover costs for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, a move staff said is intended to prevent an immediate service interruption for residents who rely on the program. Director Lowour told the board the bridge payment will allow the towns to pay FY26 invoices that arrived after the close of the fiscal year and to settle FY27 costs up front.