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Gastonia council unanimously approves resolution to pursue FTA 5307 reimbursements for transit operations and capital
Summary
Council approved a resolution allowing the city to request reimbursement from Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 apportionments (including FY2020 and FY2022 funds) to support Go Gastonia operations, paratransit and rolling stock; some apportionments require MPO and NCDOT TIP amendments.
The Gastonia City Council voted unanimously on Nov. 19 to adopt a resolution authorizing staff to apply for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 apportionment reimbursements tied to federal fiscal years 2020 and 2022. Transportation director Randy Gates told council the resolution is an administrative step that allows the city to request reimbursement for eligible operating and capital expenses already included in the city—s FY25 budget and to position the city for FY26 planning.
Gates explained the funding will be used for operations of Gastonia Transit and Go Gastonia, ADA paratransit service (typically an 80% federal / 20% local split), preventative maintenance and rolling stock purchases tied to vehicles the council previously approved. She also said some FY22 apportionments are reimbursed on a 50/50 federal/local basis and that approval by the regional MPO (Greater Gaston Cleveland Lincoln MPO) and NCDOT will be required through TIP amendments after the council—s action.
Gates noted the grants are reimbursement grants: the city expends eligible funds and then requests reimbursement from the apportionment. Approving the resolution provides flexibility to capture the maximum allocation available in staff tables included with the agenda packet but does not change the approved FY26 budget, which city council will adopt later if needed.
Council members asked clarifying questions about the lag in apportionments (why funds from earlier federal fiscal years are being applied for now), whether reimbursement proceeds become fund balance or are applied back to transit operations, and whether FTA allows using vans rather than buses; Gates responded that the reimbursements match expenditures and that vehicle types and service changes have previously been approved by FTA.
The council closed the required public hearing and adopted the resolution in a single unanimous vote.
