Title
Vote to approve the application for Aging Services for the FY27 North Carolina Department of Transportation 5310 Grant - Capital Purchase of Service
Abstract
The 5310 Capital Purchase of Service Grant provides funding for transportation to Aging Services centers in Pittsboro and Siler City, medical transportation and group trips.
This funding will provide transportation through a contract between Chatham County and Chatham Transit Network, the latter being the sole public transportation provider within Chatham County. It will serve the elderly and disabled population of Chatham who would otherwise be limited in accessing basic needs and societal supports. Funding will be utilized for transportation to sites such as senior centers, congregate meal locations, local pharmacies and grocery stores. Additionally, a portion of the funding budget will be set aside for medical transportation, which includes doctor’s appointments. Three in 10 Chatham County residents are 65 years of age and older, and by 2039, it is estimated that over 40% of Chatham residents will be 60 years of age and older.
Given Chatham County's extensive rural nature at over 700 square miles and minimal availability of public transportation options, this funding will combat isolation and loneliness among Chatham's most vulnerable citizens - especially those on a fixed income that do not live close to friends or family members and cannot afford to pay for private transportation (such as Uber).
Discussion & Analysis: Aging Services is seeking approval to apply for the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s 5310 Capital Purchase of Service Grant, which requires a 10% local match and the Board of Commissioners approval to apply. Aging Services will request a total of $310,000 for the grant, to begin in FY27. This is consistent with our FY26 request. While we do not know what our official total allocation will be for FY26, the application process and expected deadlines dictate that we begin work on the FY27 process at this time.
With the current uncertain nature of funding at the federal level, we do not know the official allocation breakdown by level for FY27. However, should the allocations remain consistent with FY26, 80% of this total will originate from federal sources, with 10 percent from NCDOT. The final 10% requires a local match, equaling $31,000. Aging Services is only seeking approval to begin the grant application process this evening and will return and request the $31,000 match before submitting the final application. The Board did approve this match for the FY26 application process.
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: There is no requested budgetary impact this evening. Aging Services is seeking the required permission to begin the pre-application process for this grant and will return before submission of the final application (estimated October 2025) to request matching funds of $31,000, or 10% of the total grant.
Recommendation/Motion: Motion to Vote to approve the application for Aging Services for the FY27 North Carolina Department of Transportation 5310 Grant - Capital Purchase of Service.