SCRTD board approves TAM, ADA plan, paratransit RFP, grant applications and budget changes

The South Central Regional Transit District board on July 22 approved a package of planning, procurement and finance actions the agency said are needed to move operations and capital projects forward.

Votes at a glance

- Transit Asset Management plan (agenda item 8): board approved the district’s updated TAM plan so SCRTD can submit it to the Federal Transit Administration regional office in Fort Worth and operate as a direct recipient. Motion recorded by the chair; vote recorded as 5–0 in favor.

- ADA fixed-route and paratransit plan (resolution listed in packet as 2027-02, agenda item 9): the board approved the agency’s ADA plan that will set paratransit eligibility criteria and guide third-party evaluations to determine which routes require complementary paratransit. Vote recorded as unanimous.

- Release RFP for paratransit service and ADA certification (agenda item 10): the board authorized staff to release an RFP (state review required before public posting) to contract for eligibility screening/certification and for paratransit service provision; the district intends to supply vehicles to limit contractor fixed costs. Vote recorded as unanimous.

- Grant applications (agenda item 11; resolution referenced as 2027-04): the board approved intent to apply for FTA programs referenced in the record as '53 10 and 53 11' (operational support for seniors, people with disabilities and rural transit). Vote recorded as unanimous.

- Fiscal year 2026 budget amendment and year-to-date financials (items 13 and 14): the board approved a modest operating expenditure increase ($17,464) offset by higher revenues ($38,228) and a $362,817 increase in capital revenue tied to New Mexico matching grants; the board also accepted year-end operating and capital reports. Vote recorded as unanimous.

- Transfer of federal grants from NMDOT to SCRTD (resolution 2027-06): the board authorized staff to pursue transfer of two outstanding federal grants (amounts discussed in the packet as $2,400,000 and $4,000,000) and to begin the administrative steps, including appraisals and NEPA compliance, needed to proceed with related property acquisition. Vote recorded as unanimous.

What board members discussed

Board discussion on these items focused on FTA compliance, administrative capacity and timelines. Executive Director David Armijo told the board the TAM update was completed with consultant support and would be filed with FTA; he stressed the district has matured into the role of direct recipient. Regarding ADA and paratransit, Armijo described a prior board-approved evaluation contract and said the third-party contractor will screen eligibility and — if necessary — provide service in selected neighborhoods. On grants and the property acquisition tied to one of the capital projects, Armijo said the NEPA process was complete, an appraisal was imminent and timing matters because costs have increased since the district initially sought the property.

Context and next steps

Most motions passed 5–0. Staff will submit the TAM to FTA, send the RFP to state reviewers and post it pending approval, pursue grant transfers with NMDOT and the FTA, and proceed with appraisals and acquisition steps for the capital project. The board set its next meeting for Sept. 23, 2026.

(Reporting note: motions, resolution numbers and vote tallies are taken from roll-call votes recorded in the meeting transcript.)