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County approves NDOT 5311 program agreement despite projected $620,000 shortfall; staff to seek supplemental funds
Summary
Commissioners approved a one‑year NDOT 5311 program agreement for fiscal year 2026 and authorized staff to sign the agreement, while staff warned of a $620,000 funding shortfall that could require service reductions or other steps if the state does not secure additional federal funds.
Scotts Bluff County commissioners approved a Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) 5311 program agreement for fiscal year 2026 and passed a companion resolution authorizing staff to sign the agreement. County transit staff said NDOT is currently able to fund only part of the agency’s request and that the agreement covers a single fiscal year; NDOT plans a supplemental agreement if additional federal funds become available.
Kurt (county transit) explained the agency trimmed requests and made internal cuts to reach the amount NDOT could commit immediately. The shortfall was reported at roughly $620,000; staff said achieving the required number for NDOT’s agreement entailed reductions including delaying planned service-hour expansions and removing some technology and program additions. Transit staff said the alternative to securing supplemental money would be service reductions and potential cuts to staff or hours.
Commissioners asked for clarity on NDOT’s decision process. Staff described a multi-step review and a desk-audit process at the state level; NDOT had taken across‑the‑board reductions because federal funding requests from all agencies exceeded available funds during the current budget cycle. Staff said NDOT hopes to perform desk audits and review carryover funds so agencies may receive supplemental awards later.
The board voted 5–0 to approve the program agreement and a resolution authorizing the county transit director to sign the agreement and related paperwork. County staff said they will submit invoices to NDOT as allowed under the agreement beginning July 1 and seek supplemental funding as the state finishes its audits. Commissioners discussed potential advocacy avenues (letters to federal and state representatives) should the supplemental funding not materialize.
Kurt told the board he had used available federal funds this fiscal year to purchase radios, bike racks and cameras; he described the current action as necessary to enable the transit program to continue operating while the state finalizes funding.
