Agenda - 09-18-2012 - 7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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14 What are the Core Duties of an RPO? Develop in cooperation with NCDOT, Comprehensive Transportation Plans (CTPs) Provide a forum for public participation in the transportation planning process Develop and prioritize suggestions for projects to be included into the State TIP Provide transportation related information to local governments and other interested organizations and persons How is the Boundary of an RPO Developed? RPO areas consist of the areas not already included in a MPO, and include representatives from contiguous areas in three to fifteen counties, with a total population of the entire area being at least 50,000 persons according to the latest population estimate of the Office of State Planning. The TARPO Planning Area includes the Orange County area outside the boundaries of the DCHC BGMPOs. Funding for RPOs Planning funds for RPOs currently comes from State funds, not Federal funds for which they are currently ineligible. The RPO program is currently funded on a reimbursement basis usingFederal State Planning and Research Funds (SPR), with a 20% local match required. Allocations vary based on population and number of counties in the RPO. An RPO’s allocation is based on the non-urban population in the counties that it governs, as defined by the Census every 10 years. So, regardless of where the MPOs establish their boundaries, an RPO’s funding will be based on the population outside the Census- definedUZA boundaries. Each year, the four counties that are members of the Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization (TARPO), including Orange County, each contribute $7,500toward the organization, for a total annual local amount of $30,000. The County’s contribution amount was not impacted by the loss in area to DCHC MPO in 2009. This amount is greater than the minimum 20% local match funding required to receive RPO funding from the State. TARPO maintains these additional funds separately from their General Fund, and has the ability to carry balances from year to year and reprogram unused funds from previous years. For the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year, TARPO will use these additional funds to cover additional expenses not eligible to be paid using State RPO fundingand/or the 20% local match, including equipment or suppliesfor use on TARPO projects, foodfor TARPO meetings, Work Program Tasks requiring additional funding, and special work tasks requested by TARPO members. For the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year, NCDOT will reimburse TARPO for eligible expenses up to $89,951. The required local match for this State funding will be $22,488. The difference between this and the $30,000 provided by the TARPO member counties will be $7,512. The total budget for TARPO, including that which isprogrammed within the standardPlanning Work Programand these additional funds will be $119,951.