County approves application and local match request for Area 10 rural transit grants

On April 17 the Monroe County Board of Commissioners approved a 2026 application for Section 5311/5339 federal transit assistance for rural areas and adopted an authorizing resolution (2025-21), including a requested Monroe County contribution of $80,000 toward the local match.

Christopher Myers (Area 10 Agency on Aging / rural transit) told commissioners the operating budget for the rural transit program across Monroe and three neighboring counties is projected at $1,781,275. He said the federal 5311 portion would be roughly $856,438, the state match about $311,595 and the remaining local burden about $562,242; Area 10 is seeking that local share from multiple county governments and noted Monroe County’s $80,000 request is consistent with prior years.

Myers said the grant application also seeks funding to replace four vehicles (three buses from 2018 with near 200,000 miles and one low-floor minivan) with accessible ramps or lifts; the capital ask was about $459,000 with a proposed federal share of approximately $328,400 and a local match of about $68,850 covered by Area 10 sources.

Commissioners asked about potential federal or state funding risks; Myers said he had spoken with the INDOT program manager and was not aware of threats to transit funding, and he noted the program also operates a mobile food pantry that has been affected by reductions in food-relief funding. Commissioners expressed support and discussed budgeting for ongoing ARPA-funded transit subsidies through the remainder of the year and for permanent 2026 funding.

The motion to approve the application and resolution passed unanimously on a roll call.