Martin County commissioners approve FY2020 Section 5311 transit grant application and adopt conflict-of-interest policy

The Martin County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Oct. 10 to approve the county’s FY2020 Section 5311 Community Transportation Program grant application, adopt an annual conflict-of-interest policy for transit grants and designate officials authorized to sign grant documents.

Deputy Director Frank Halsey told the board the grant application included an administrative budget request of $140,036 (15 percent local match, $21,005) to cover office and management costs and a capital request of $333,980 (10 percent local match, $33,398) for vehicle replacements and new on-board cameras. He said the total project request for July 1, 2019–June 30, 2020 would be $474,016 with a local share of $54,403. No members of the public spoke during the hearing on the application.

The board held and closed a public hearing before voting to: adopt the Public Transportation Program resolution authorizing submittal of the application to the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration; adopt the Martin County Area Transit System Conflict of Interest Policy; and delegate authority to the county manager (and named alternates) to execute grant documents and reimbursement requests. Each motion passed unanimously.

Halsey outlined capital priorities in the application, including replacement of four revenue vehicles (two lacking ADA lifts) and replacement of DVR and camera equipment on the fleet, and said the capital portion follows the federal/state/local share split in the application. The board recorded no public opposition during the hearing and directed staff to proceed with application submittal and required policy signings.

The resolution and delegation form include required federal and state assurances and certification language and identify the county manager as the authorized official; alternates named in the delegation include the assistant finance director and finance director. The board’s approval moves the application forward to NCDOT for consideration.