Submitted By: Tom Duncan
presenter
Presentation By: Tom Duncan
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Department: Growth Management
FORMAL TITLE:
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Budget Resolution 2027-109 to amend the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget to accept and appropriate funding from the Federal Transit Administration to support the City of Ocala’s public transit system, SunTran, and the purchase of one natural gas standby generator in the amount of $286,008
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Fiscally Sustainable, Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) annually provides Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities Program funding to the City of Ocala to support SunTran, the City's public transit system.
On June 17, 2025, the Ocala City Council conducted a public hearing to review the proposed Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2022 Section 5339 Grant Program budget and receive public comment. The total project budget is $286,008, which includes $72,297 in matching funds from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) through Transportation Development Credits (TDCs).
FTA awarded the grant funding on July 22, 2025, through TrAMS (Transit Award Management System), the agency's official grant management platform. This grant provides capital funding to purchase a natural gas standby generator at the SunTran Operations and Maintenance Facility, located at 1805 N.E. 30th Ave., Building 900, Ocala, FL 34470.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The FTA Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities Program funds are critical to maintaining and improving SunTran's operational readiness and service reliability, ensuring the continued delivery of public transit services during power outages and emergency events.
Staff recommends approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The FTA Section 5339 grant of $286,008 has been awarded to the City of Ocala to support capital projects for the public transit system, SunTran. FDOT has awarded $72,297 in TDCs, which fully satisfy and replace the City of Ocala’s required local match for this grant, thereby eliminating the need for any cash match.
FTA Section 5339 funds will be received in revenue account 494-331-000-000-09-33126 and will be expended via 494-060-492-544-66-64010.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny
BUDGET RESOLUTION 2027-109
A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 BUDGET TO
ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY OF OCALA’S PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM, SUNTRAN, IN THE AMOUNT OF $286,008
WHEREAS, the Federal Transit Administration has awarded the City of Ocala Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities Grant funds in the amount of $286,0008; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation is providing $72,297 in Transportation Development Credits as the 20% local match to the capital portion; and
WHEREAS, the capital grant requires no local match from the City and Marion County; and
WHEREAS, the funding will be used for capital expenses in support of SunTran.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, duly assembled in regular session, amends the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget as outlined below.
SOURCE:
494-331-000-000-09-33126 FTA Bus Facilities Grant $286,008
USE:
494-060-492-544-66-64010 SunTran Capital - Equipment $10,000+ $286,008
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
Reviewed for accounting accuracy & completeness:
By: _________________________________
Peter A. Lee
City Manager