Title
Hold a public hearing and adopt a resolution authorizing the $31,000, or a match of 10%, for Aging Services for the North Carolina Department of Transportation 5310 Grant - Capital Purchase of Service
Abstract
Introduction & Background: Prior to the Chatham County Council on Aging becoming Chatham County Aging Services, the 5310 Capital Purchase of Service Grant was essential to COA operations. It provided funding for transportation to our centers in Pittsboro and Siler City, medical transportation and group trips, such as trips to the grocery store.
As a nonprofit, the COA employed a medical transportation specialist that served as an intermediary between the Council and Chatham Transit Network to schedule appointments. Prior to COVID-19, the Council entered into an annual contract with Chatham Transit that specified rates.
While we no longer coordinate medical transportation as Chatham County Aging Services, we wish to contract with Chatham Transit to carry out the requirements of the 5310 grant in FY 26. Initially, Aging Services planned to apply for the grant and then pass through the funding to Chatham Transit. However, after meeting, both entities determined that this was not the best course of action. Instead, should Aging Services receive the grant, Chatham Transit will invoice Aging Services each month for rides provided to clients coming to and from the Centers for Active Living and Congregate Nutrition sites, as well as regular trips to the grocery store for clients to purchase essential items. Any additional funds will be used for medical rides. Chatham County will pay Chatham Transit Network and Aging Services will then submit a reimbursement request to the DOT on behalf of the County.
Prior to COVID-19, the Council entered into an annual contract with Chatham Transit that specified rates. Aging Services received the required Board approval to apply for the grant during the April 15 meeting and wishes to request a total of $310,000 - the same amount it has previously applied for as a nonprofit. This will consist of 80 percent Federal funding, 10 percent from NCDOT, and a required 10% local match of $31,000 that requires Board approval for FY26 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). 5310 funding is not guaranteed, and if the local match is approved, Aging Services may not receive its full request.
Aging Services wishes to contract with Chatham Transit once more to carry out the requirements of the 5310 grant. If funding is approved by NCDOT, Chatham Transit will invoice Aging Services each month for rides provided to clients coming to and from the Centers for Active Living and Congregate Nutrition sites in Pittsboro and Siler City. This will also include regular trips to the grocery store for clients to purchase essential items. Any additional funds will be applied toward medical transportation. The county would pay Chatham Transit, and then Aging Services would submit a reimbursement request to DOT on behalf of the county.
The proposed grant budget is submitted as an attachment.
Discussion & Analysis: Aging Services received the required Board approval to apply for the 5310 grant during the April 15 meeting and will be requesting $310,000 in total 5310 grant funding for FY 26. This is consistent with what we requested as the COA. Eighty percent ($248,000) would originate from federal sources, with 10% ($31,000) provided by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The remaining 10%, or $31,000 per the Aging Services funding request, is a required local match. Previously, as a nonprofit, the Council had access to United Way funding to help offset some of this local match. However, with our transition to a county department, this is no longer an option.
5310 funding is not guaranteed. Due to this, the county worked with the Council in the past to commit a recurring allocation for transportation.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: This grant will provide equitable access to community options for all, while also fostering a healthy community.
Budgetary Impact: The budgetary impact would be $31,000 to fund the required 10% local match for FY 2026. However, should Aging Services receive this funding, it would represent an additional budget increase of $279,000 outside of the County match, which will be reimbursable through NCDOT.
Recommendation/Motion: Hold a public hearing and adopt a resolution authorizing the $31,000, or a match of 10%, for Aging Services for the North Carolina Department of Transportation 5310 Grant - Capital Purchase of Service.