TPO staff seeks governor’s designation of CAC as Section 5310 recipient

TPO staff told the Technical Committee on May 13 they recommend that the governor of Tennessee name CAC as the designated recipient for FTA Section 5310 funds, shifting day‑to‑day grant management from the TPO to the transit agency.

Doug Burton, TPO coordinator, presented the proposal and described the program: "When you hear 5310, that is just identifying the funding source at the Federal Transit Administration," Burton said, and added that the program—Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities—provides roughly $850,000 in federal funds to the TPO area each year and requires local matching funds and FTA compliance.

Burton said the TPO has managed the program since the 2000s but that administration is time intensive and most regions assign that role to a transit agency. He described CAC as experienced in daily FTA and TDOT grant management and said staff discussed the transition with local transit agencies and TDOT. "We would ask the executive board to pass a resolution and it would go to the governor and he would issue a letter to FTA naming them," Burton said.

Under the proposed arrangement, CAC would administer grant awards to nonprofits and volunteer programs, while the TPO would retain planning responsibilities: the human service transportation coordination plan and project selection recommendations would continue to come to the Technical Committee and the executive board for TIP adoption.

The technical committee made a motion recommending the executive board approve the designation; the motion carried by voice vote.

Burton said staff will develop a memorandum of agreement to document the transition and continue to present recommended projects to the TPO.

No public opposition or additional questions were recorded during the item.