Commissioners approve resolution to support 2027 5311 transportation grant; official outlines $20,000 local‑match request and possible $80,000 deviated route

The Fayette County commissioners on (date not specified in the transcript) approved an authorizing resolution to allow county staff to proceed with a 2027 5311 grant application and to document a local‑match commitment if one is approved during budget hearings.

The grant representative told the board she must list a local match when the application is submitted (grant due May 15, according to her remarks) and asked whether the county would be “more than likely” to provide the $20,000 local match the agency has provided in prior years. A commissioner said budget hearings will determine the final amount but expressed support for continuing the match, acknowledging it is not a guarantee.

The representative said the agency provided 5,894 trips in the first quarter of 2026 and that 48% of those trips served Fayette County. She described a potential new deviated route for Connersville that similar systems had operated for about $80,000 a year (two vehicles, five days a week) and said such a route would require an additional local match of roughly 20 percent.

She also described the agency’s vehicle needs: the fleet currently totals 16 vehicles, several of which have very high mileage (multiple vehicles with more than 160,000 miles), and the agency expects three new vehicles this year. She said a low‑floor replacement vehicle for the fleet could require roughly $18,000 in local matching funds depending on vehicle type and noted expected operating‑cost savings from newer models.

Commissioners debated timing and options but did not set a binding dollar commitment during the meeting. One commissioner moved to approve the authorizing resolution so the application can proceed; another seconded the motion, and the board voted in favor (recorded as three ayes). Staff said it would notify commissioners and attend budget hearings as needed.

What happens next: staff will file the grant application by the stated deadline, and any fiscal commitment would be finalized in upcoming county budget hearings. The resolution authorizes staff to pursue the grant and document local match commitments when appropriate.