Monroe County MPO adopts FY2026 work program amid warnings of federal deadlines
February 27, 2026 | Monroe County, Indiana
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MPO staff presented the FY2026 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and emphasized urgency after federal and state reviewers requested an accelerated approval timeline.
"The work program itself is a balanced document. It comes to $396,000 with federal and local match; federal funds are approximately $298,000," staff said, and noted the program meets 23 CFR Part 450 requirements. Staff warned of national staffing constraints at Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration and said any delay could jeopardize notices to proceed required for planning and capital projects.
Several members raised procedural concerns. Scott Ferris and others criticized the treatment of organizational roles and transparency in the UPWP and said staff responses to some member comments arrived late. Ferris said he would not support the UPWP as presented unless the organization and decisionmaking descriptions were clarified.
Commissioner Thomas and other members urged that legal questions and transparency issues be addressed in tandem with funding approval and suggested a future session or materials clarifying reporting lines and hiring procedures for MPO staff.
Despite debate, the committee adopted the FY2026 UPWP by roll call vote (adoption recorded as resolution FY2026‑06). Supporters said the document satisfied federal requirements and that immediate adoption was necessary to protect federal funding. Opponents said process and organizational language require follow‑up action.
What's next: staff will proceed with required state and federal notifications and incorporate clarifications or process changes as follow‑up items. Members requested a concise summary of the governance questions and staff responses be circulated ahead of the next meeting.
"The work program itself is a balanced document. It comes to $396,000 with federal and local match; federal funds are approximately $298,000," staff said, and noted the program meets 23 CFR Part 450 requirements. Staff warned of national staffing constraints at Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration and said any delay could jeopardize notices to proceed required for planning and capital projects.
Several members raised procedural concerns. Scott Ferris and others criticized the treatment of organizational roles and transparency in the UPWP and said staff responses to some member comments arrived late. Ferris said he would not support the UPWP as presented unless the organization and decisionmaking descriptions were clarified.
Commissioner Thomas and other members urged that legal questions and transparency issues be addressed in tandem with funding approval and suggested a future session or materials clarifying reporting lines and hiring procedures for MPO staff.
Despite debate, the committee adopted the FY2026 UPWP by roll call vote (adoption recorded as resolution FY2026‑06). Supporters said the document satisfied federal requirements and that immediate adoption was necessary to protect federal funding. Opponents said process and organizational language require follow‑up action.
What's next: staff will proceed with required state and federal notifications and incorporate clarifications or process changes as follow‑up items. Members requested a concise summary of the governance questions and staff responses be circulated ahead of the next meeting.
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