Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transit Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Transit agency designated FTA 5307 recipient; MPO approves interim program updates to unlock federal funds
Summary
Swart (local transit) informed the board it received official FTA 5307 urban‑recipient designation after an 18‑month onboarding process; the policy board approved updates to the interim Program of Projects so federal operating and small capital funds can be accessed. One board member abstained from the vote.
Sarah Hidalgo Cook (Swart) told the MPO that, "as of 3 weeks ago, [we] received our official letter from FTA being a 5307 urban recipient after a little over 18 months of working with FTA during the onboarding process." She said that designation allows the transit operator to receive federal 5307 operating funds and small capital support.
Ms. Hidalgo Cook presented final allocations for FY2024 and FY2025 and an estimate for FY2026 that staff asked the board to incorporate into the MPO's interim program of projects so Swart can begin drawing federal funds. She reported an FY2024 FTA allocation of $1,332,949 and cited an FY2025 allocation reported roughly as $1,000,395; the FY2026 figure was described as an estimate tied to future FTA notice.
She explained the funds are broken into categories (fixed route, ADA/paratransit with different match rates, preventive maintenance and small capital under FTA 5339) and that local matches apply. The consultant and staff noted that the interim program covers these allocations while the MPO completes its TIP process.
The board considered the request and voted to approve the interim program revisions and submit the updated numbers to TxDOT so Swart can access federal dollars. During the discussion Ms. Hidalgo Cook said she would abstain from the record because the item concerns work directly related to her agency; staff acknowledged and noted the abstention.
Staff also announced a TxDOT Transportation Alternatives planning grant award to the MPO for $345,000 to develop an active‑transportation plan, and that the City of Eagle Pass had been awarded roughly $3.3 million for a shared‑use project. Staff recommended using the fiscal agent's procurement platform to advertise consultant services to use the planning funds.
Next: staff will transmit the updated interim program of projects and FTA allocations to TxDOT and proceed with grant procurement work to put the active transportation planning funds to use.
