S Grant Public Hearing on NC Department of Transportation's Rural Operating Assistance Program

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� 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 5, 1999 Action Agenda Item No. r/-a SUBJECT: Public Hearing on the NC Department of Transportation's Rural Operating Assistance Program Grant DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Yes Aging/Orange Public Transportation BUDGET AMENDMENT: ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Application Jerry M. Passmore TELEPHONE NUMBERS: ext. 2009 Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 9684501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To receive citizen comments regarding the proposed FY 1999-2000 new application package referred to as ROAP (Rural Operating Assistance Program)which includes the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program, Work First Transitional/Employment Transportation Assistance Program and the Rural General Public Program and to approve submission of the combined ROAD application. BACKGROUND: In an effort to streamline its funding procedure the NC Department of Transportation's Public Transportation Division is combining the application process for the three above-mentioned grant programs into one package. However, there can be no transfer of funds among the programs for the FY 1999-2000. As part of the application package the Board of County Commissioners must hold a public hearing. County governments are the only eligible applicants for these funds. The Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program, first made available by the General Assembly in 1989, is used in Orange County to pay for medical and personal business trips for residents who are 60 years and older or disabled. The Work First/Employment program assists former Work First clients and other low-income persons certified for Medicaid and Food Stamps with employment-related transportation. Rural General Public funds are used to subsidize the Orange Express public route which makes three round trips daily from the Prospect Hill Health Center to the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area. The Rural Operating Assistance Program(ROAP) funds will provide the following service: (1) Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program- 4,756 additional medical trips (2) Rural General Public-Orange Express Public Route-3,443 additional general public trips (3) Work First/Employment Transportation Program-31 Work First Clients (min.03300 each)