Submitted By: Tom Duncan
presenter
Presentation By: Tom Duncan
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Department: Growth Management
FORMAL TITLE:
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Resolution 2026-56 to accept a Public Transit Grant Agreement between the Florida Department of Transportation and the City of Ocala for operational funding for the Ocala/Marion County Public Transit System, SunTran, in the amount of $837,458
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Fiscally Sustainable, Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) annually provides grant funding to communities that will pay operating assistance of up to 50 percent for fixed-route public transit systems. To be awarded funding, the City must enter into a Public Transportation Grant Agreement (PTGA) with FDOT. The City has been awarded $837,458 in grant funding, pending approval of the PTGA Agreement. This grant funding amount requires a local match of $837,458 from the City and the County. An additional $6,000 local match (city/county) is included and can be used for travel and training, as these expenses are not reimbursable under the PTGA Agreement. This brings the total local match to $843,458.
On September 19, 2023, the City of Ocala and Marion County entered into an interlocal agreement, establishing their respective funding commitments of local funds to operate SunTran. The agreement (and subsequent amendments) states that the percentages of support between the City and the County may vary from year to year based on service changes identified in the Transit Development Plan. For Fiscal Year 26-27, the percentages will be 75 percent for the City and 25 percent for the County.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The funding will be used toward the daily operation of the SunTran, Ocala/Marion County Public Transportation System. This includes, but is not limited to, funding RATP Dev to provide daily operations and maintenance of SunTran, SunTran staff salaries, fuel, utilities for the SunTran Administration & Maintenance Facility, operating supplies, and other related expenses.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City has proposed a $632,594 local match in account 494-381-000-000-19-38091 for Fiscal Year 2026-27. Operating expenses are budgeted in accounting string 494-050-451-544-54*.
A budget resolution to appropriate the grant funds, associated matches, and program income will be provided on a future agenda.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
This resolution will be reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny
RESOLUTION 2026-56
A RESOLUTION to accept a Public Transit Grant Agreement between the Florida Department of Transportation and the City of Ocala for operational funding for the Ocala/Marion County Public Transit System, SunTran, in the amount of $837,458
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) annually provides grant funding to communities that will pay operating assistance up to 50% for fixed route public transit systems; and
WHEREAS, in order to be awarded the funding, the City must enter into a Public Transportation Grant Agreement (PTGA) with FDOT; and
WHEREAS, the City will receive $837,458, pending approval of the PTGA, which requires an $837,458 local match; and
WHEREAS, on September 19, 2023, the City and Marion County entered into an Interlocal Agreement to establish their respective funding commitments of necessary local funds to operate SunTran; and
WHEREAS, although the percentages of support between the City and Marion County may vary from year to year based on service changes identified in the Transit Development Plan, the percentages for Fiscal Year 2026-27 will remain the same at 75% for the City and 25% for Marion County; and
WHEREAS, the local commitments for this PTGA Grant have been allocated by both the City and Marion County in their respective Fiscal Year 2026-27 budgets; and
WHEREAS, the FDOT PTGA funds are necessary to operate SunTran; and
WHEREAS, this Agreement shall commence upon its full execution and shall expire on June 30, 2028.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, in regular session duly assembled as follows: The City of Ocala accepts Public Transportation Grant Agreement G3U21.
This resolution adopted this ______ day of ______________________, 2026.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Ire J. Bethea Sr.
City Clerk President, Ocala City Council
Approved as to form and legality:
By: _________________________________
William E. Sexton
City Attorney