County seeks $260,000 competitive grant to subsidize trips for seniors and people with disabilities

Charles Ratcliffe, representing the Department of Human Services, briefed commissioners on a competitive FY26 mobility grant administered to the county through the City of Concord. The department requested permission to apply for $260,000 in operating funds, with a 50% match requirement that would leave the county responsible for roughly $130,000 if awarded.

Nut graf: The grant funds are competitive and shared among jurisdictions that include the City of Concord, Rowan County and the City of Salisbury. The money would cover transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities to medical treatments, vocational programs and other essential trips.

Ratcliffe said the department is on pace to provide more than 14,000 trips in FY26, including trips to DaVita dialysis centers, cancer treatments, Cabarrus Vocational Opportunities and Rowan‑Cabarrus Community College programs for people with disabilities. In FY24 the county provided 13,364 trips and received $66,182 from this grant; higher trip volumes led to larger county costs that year. The department estimated that, if awarded the full $260,000, the county’s net cost would be about $130,000 and that securing the grant would save roughly $81,000 compared with not receiving it (based on projected service volumes).

The department also plans to request $25,000 on the capital side of the grant for preventive maintenance on vehicles; the county’s capital match for that portion would be $5,000 if awarded. Ratcliffe cautioned there is no guarantee the county will receive the full requested amount.

Ending: Commissioners did not record a vote on the application during the work session. Staff said the county will apply and noted the grant is competitive among nearby jurisdictions.