Boone County approves application for $800,455 2027 transit operations grant and two accessible minivans

Boone County commissioners voted to allow the county to submit two 2027 public transit grant applications on behalf of Boone Area Transit System, the county’s service provider. Anita Bowen of Boone Area Transit System told commissioners the county is the grant recipient and that the agency is asking to apply for an operations grant of $800,455 and a vehicle grant to buy two low-floor, Americans with Disabilities Act–accessible minivans.

Bowen said the operations grant (DOT 5311) is a 50/50 matching grant, meaning the county and the state must provide half of the requested amount locally. “We are looking at requesting an amount of $800,455,” Bowen said. She told the commission the minivans are priced at $73,000 each; the federal assistance covers 85% of the vehicle cost ($62,350 per van) and the county would need to provide a 15% local match of $10,650 per vehicle, a combined local contribution of $21,300 for both vehicles.

Commissioners moved and seconded approval for Bowen to submit both the DOT 5311 (operations) and DOT 5339 (vehicle) applications; the motion carried by voice vote. Bowen said the agency has provided transit in Boone County for 20 years and expects to continue operating under the county’s grant recipient status.

The county will be responsible for raising its share of the match if the grants are awarded. Bowen told the board the application deadline is early next week and asked for permission to submit the paperwork. The board authorized submission; staff will file the applications on the county’s behalf.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 046, topfinish SEG 096