Macon County approves federal transit grants to replace vehicles and fund operations

Chairman Paul Higdon and the Macon County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved three federal transit grant applications at their Sept. 12, 2023 meeting, a package county Transit Director Darlene Asher said will support operations and replace aging vehicles.

Asher told the board the 5311 Administration grant totals $230,232, with an 85% federal share, a 5% state share and a 10% county share of $23,024 to be included in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. She said the administration funds cover three position salaries and benefits, drug and alcohol testing, office supplies, training, advertising and other administrative costs.

Separately, Asher said the county is applying for a 5310 Operating grant of $235,000 to improve mobility for seniors and people with disabilities. She reported Macon County Transit provided 11,160 trips under that funding in FY2023 and stated that the required local match will be met with EDTAP (Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program) funds from ROAP and with contract revenues billed to client agencies; she said zero general-county funds will be used as the match.

For capital needs, Asher asked the board to approve an 80/20 grant request of $388,194 to replace one minivan, one high-top van and one 2022 cutaway van that each exceeded 100,000 miles as of June 30, 2023. She said the minivan would be replaced with a high-top to add seating and another lift-equipped vehicle. The request also included lettering and propane conversion kits, a replacement scanner more than seven years old and six new radios that are about ten years old. The county’s 20% share for the capital grant is $77,369, Asher said.

All three grant applications were approved by unanimous votes. The approvals allow staff to submit grant applications and proceed with the required administrative steps if the grants are awarded.