Submitted By: Tom Duncan
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Presentation By: Tom Duncan
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Department: Growth Management
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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
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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, utilitie...
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