Title
Vote to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO)
Abstract
Introduction & Background: CAMPO is a regional transportation planning organization currently serving communities in Franklin, Harnett, Johnston, and Wake Counties. An updated MOU has been approved and now requires local adoption by all members. The MOU changes include the addition of new members: Chatham County, the Town of Coats, and the Town of Lillington. CAMPO has requested the local adoption of the MOU by June 30th, 2024. Once all members and future members locally adopt the MOU, the State of North Carolina will provide the final adoption, thus finalizing the process.
Discussion & Analysis: The Capital Area MPO started as a project between Cary, Raleigh, Garner, and Wake County known as the Greater Raleigh Urban Area Thoroughfare Plan of 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s additions to the MPO included Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon. In 2005, CAMPO expanded its boundary to include parts of Franklin County, Granville County, Harnett County, and Johnston County. These counties also included the municipal governments of Angier, Archer Lodge, Bunn, Clayton, Creedmoor, Franklinton, and Youngsville. CAMPO serves as the coordinating agency between local governments, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Staff establish a close working relationship with the planning departments of various local governments within the MPO area.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: The Chatham County Comprehensive Plan calls for a thoughtful, diverse, and resilient transit portfolio to serve the county. In the state of North Carolina, the transportation planning process is heavily dependent upon the State of North Carolina’s Department of Transportation for guidance through the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) and Metropolitan or Rural Planning Organizations (MPOs or RPOs) to access federal funding. Working with and participating as members of MPOs is vital in connecting Chatham County with regional transportation planning efforts, collaborating with neighboring transportation professionals and elected officials, and accessing opportunities for project funding. The more Chatham County connects with MPOs and RPOs within our area the more potential our county has to grow the local transit system, provide safe and robust infrastructure, and keep our community healthy and connected with our neighbors.
Budgetary Impact: FY2025 projected membership due is $5,026
*The number provided is an estimate and Chatham County will only be billed based on a 20% match of actual expenditures with a projected maximum of $5026. Chatham County is billed .4599% of the total 20% match for all CAMPO’s expenditures. Typically email invoices are sent to members in mid-August and are due by the end of August. *
Recommendation/Motion: Motion to approve the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).