Jackson County authorizes staff to apply for $520,462 in FY27 transit grants

Jackson County commissioners on Monday approved a resolution authorizing staff to apply for three federal and state transit grants for fiscal year 2027 that together total $520,462.

Zach Beck, assistant director of Jackson County Transit, told the board the package includes a 5311 administrative grant for $221,857 (local 15% match $33,279), a 5310 operating grant for $165,000 (50% local match $82,500) to support services for older adults and people with disabilities, and a combined capital grant for one LTV replacement vehicle including lettering, logos and a propane conversion (project subtotal listed in the presentation as $133,65[0?] with a 10% local share of $13,361). Beck said the LTV identified for replacement had met its useful life and state replacement thresholds.

The total local match requested across the three projects is $129,140. "We are requesting permission to enter into agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and to ask the board for the necessary assurances in the required local match," Beck said.

A commissioner moved and seconded approval of resolution 25-21. The clerk recorded affirmative votes and the motion carried, authorizing county staff to submit the grant applications and provide required assurances to NCDOT.

The board also closed the public hearing on the applications after hearing no public comment and proceeded with its regular agenda. The county did not provide detailed vendor or vehicle specifications in the public presentation; the transcript lists the capital project total and the requested local-share amounts as the basis for the resolution.