Title
FY2026 NCDOT Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) Grant Application
Action
ACTION:
1) Approve the Certified Statement for the FY2026 Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) in Mecklenburg County;
2) Approve the application for the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) Grant for Fiscal Year 2026 in Mecklenburg County Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services in the amount of $676,562;
3) Amend the 2025-2026 Annual Budget Ordinance to recognize, receive, and appropriate the amount awarded from the State for the FY26 ROAP grant funds to the General Fund (0001) within the Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services.
Staff Contact: Kimberly Henderson, Director, Child, Family and Adult Services
Presentation: No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
Mecklenburg County Department of Child, Family, & Adult Services (CFAS) is submitting a Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) grant application. This annual NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) grant provides funding for transportation services to elderly and disabled citizens, Work First clients requiring transitional/employment transportation services, and the general public living outside the urban area boundary of Mecklenburg County who do not have a human service agency or organization to pay for their transportation. The Mecklenburg Transportation System (MTS) of CFAS Services for Adults Division operates this program.
The Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program (EDTAP) FY2026 formula allocation is $364,959. This allocation is designated to provide for the public transportation of elderly and disabled citizens.
The Employment Transportation Program (EMPL) FY2026 formula allocation is $257,437. These funds provide operating assistance for the public transportation of person with employment related transportation needs.
The Rural General Program (RGP) FY2026 formula allocation is $54,166. These funds are intended to provide transportation services to individuals who do not have a human service agency or organization that will pay for the needed transportation services and live in the non-urbanized area of the county.
State rules allow for the EMPL and the RGP funds to be transferred to any of the other ROAP funds. MTS has consistently transferred all EMPL and RGP funds to EDTAP to provide transportation for eligible elderly and disabled client for specific trip purposes.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
N/A
POLICY IMPACT:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
FY26 General Fund (0001) increase in State revenue and associated expenses in the amount of up to $676,562.