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Board approves ODOT master agreement allowing Marion County to exchange federal surface transportation funds for state funds
Summary
Marion County approved a master grant agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation that enables the county to exchange federal surface-transportation funds for state funds at a 90¢ on the dollar exchange rate, removing some federal requirements for projects delivered with state funds.
The Marion County Board of Commissioners on June 25 approved a master agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) that lets the county exchange federal surface transportation block grant funds for state funds.
Ryan Kreuther of Marion County Public Works explained the fund-exchange program in which federal funds can be exchanged for state funds at a 90¢ on the dollar rate. Kreuther said using state funds in place of federal funds can reduce environmental and administrative requirements that increase project cost and timeline. He noted the exchange rate was 94¢ on the dollar prior to 2021 and that the state now retains a larger portion of exchanged funds.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the percentage retained by the state; staff confirmed the current 90¢ exchange rate represents a 4% reduction from the prior 94¢ rate. The agreement does not itself exchange funds but gives the county the ability to make exchanges and to convert leftover federal fund balances on completed projects to state funds for alternate projects.
The board approved the master agreement to participate in the fund-exchange program through Sept. 30, 2029.
