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Draft UPWP Shows Big Cut in MPO Planning Funds; staff recommend trimming contracts
Summary
The MPO’s draft FY2027–28 Unified Planning Work Program projects a 50% drop in federal planning allocation (from $405,000 to $198,000) driven by the 2020 census count; staff recommended removing several contract service agreements and shifting work in-house while noting receipt of a $1.4 million Safe Streets and Roads for All planning grant for corridor work.
MPO staff presented a draft Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for FY2027–28 that projects a substantial reduction in the MPO’s federal planning allocation and proposes service‑level changes to address an expected shortfall.
Key points: staff said the MPO’s federal allocation declined from $405,000 in FY2024 to an estimated $198,000 for FY2027 because per‑capita federal planning funds are based on the 2020 census; the city’s March 2020 student departures lowered the urbanized area population used in the formula. To balance the draft budget staff recommended removing contract service agreements (including city and county asset‑management contracts and external service agreements), preserving core staff functions where possible. Staff projected a modest operating deficit for FY27 if no changes are made.
At the same time, staff flagged a $1.4 million Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) planning grant awarded to the City of Bloomington on Dec. 23, 2025. Staff said this grant will require significant MPO staff time to complete corridor studies, public engagement and demonstration projects, and that the grant focus would shift some internal effort toward SS4A activities.
Committee reaction: members asked which parts of the UPWP could be restored if additional local match or revenue-sharing were identified and sought clarification on who decides which contracts are cut; staff said current practice embeds the MPO staff within the City of Bloomington’s planning and transportation department budget and that the draft cuts reflected staff recommendations to keep the MPO operational within the lower allocation.
Why it matters: the projected funding drop will change how the MPO supports partner jurisdictions and deliverables in its planning program. If adopted as drafted, contract services for asset management and some external work would be reduced or eliminated, and staff will report back on any recommended restoration of services once the final UPWP is drafted.
What’s next: the draft UPWP will be posted for the 30‑day public comment period; staff requested questions and suggested edits from committee members before final adoption in the coming meeting cycle.
