Submitted By: Tom Duncan
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Presentation By: Tom Duncan
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-172 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to accept and appropriate funding from the Federal Transit Administration in support of the Ocala Marion County public transit system, SunTran, in the amount of $3,938,144
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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 the City of Ocala Section 5307 Urban Area Formula Grants to support Ocala's fixed-route bus service, SunTran. The Ocala City Council held a public hearing on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, to review and receive comments on the Fiscal Year 2024 Section 5307 budget in the amount of $3,938,144. The proposed budget includes matching funds of $900,193 in Toll Revenue Credits from the State of Florida, $168,690 in FDOT operating funds, and $168,690 in local matches and revenue.
The grant includes funding for one 35-foot diesel bus; rebuilding the engine and transmission for three buses; operating expenses, shop equipment; bus stop enhancements, the engineering and design of bus shelters; updating the Transit Development Plan; a Comprehensive Operations Analysis; a required ADA Compliance Services Project; ADA paratransit services; and the capital cost for contracting operating services.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The Section 5307 FTA funds are necessary to maintain and improve SunTran. The City of Ocala serves as the policy board for SunTran and oversees RATP DEV, the company that manages SunTran's operations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The FTA 5307 grant ($3,938,144) is awarded to the City to support capital and operating items for SunTran. The 5307 funds will be received in account 494-331-000-000-09-33142 and expended via multiple accounts in 494-050-450/451-544*.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
N/...
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