Stanly commissioners approve application for federal funds to get new SCUSA vans – The Stanly News & Press

The Stanly County Board of Commissioners permitted county workers to use for a federal grant with a view to buy two new autos for SCUSA transportation on the December assembly.

By a vote of 6-0, with Commissioner Peter Asciutto excused from the assembly attributable to sickness, the board permitted software for a Neighborhood Transportation Program FY24 grant. The grant request will likely be for $265,900 for 2 vans plus $900 for lettering on the autos’ outsides.

Transportation Providers Director Randy Shank offered the decision to commissioners.

Earlier than commissioners determined, a public listening to was carried out, with one individual talking.

Jason Phibbs, whereas saying he was not in opposition to SCUSA, requested the board in the event that they knew what they had been signing up for, including there was no free cash. He talked about on the primary web page of the decision a clause saying the county must adjust to federal and state statutes and administration necessities from the Federal Transit Administration, “basically ceding native sovereignty to the federal authorities with this and future grants.”

Shank responded to a query from Commissioner Brandon King about what info the board was signing away for by noting if the board didn’t do it, the autos SCUSA has “will ultimately fall into dispreair. We put lots of miles on the autos annually…that is fairly normal throughout all of the transportation programs all through the state.”

This system for which the county is making use of, Shank added, has most likely existed for about 40 years.

“If we don’t approve this, will we be OK subsequent yr, the yr after? Positive, however ultimately autos are going to fall into disrepair and we received’t have autos. Then you’ll be tasked with attention-grabbing questions.”

Referring to his division presentation in September, Shank stated SCUSA vans take individuals to medical appointments on daily basis, referencing kidney dialysis sufferers particularly.

The division has to fulfill federal pointers which associate with any grants, he added.

County Supervisor Andy Lucas stated most grants embody lots of auditing, saying the county’s funds “has an enormous quantity of federal and state cash” in it, together with funds for SCUSA, the well being division and the senior providers division.

Lucas stated 15 to 20 % of the county’s whole funds is federal funds or federal funds by the state authorities. He stated the grant software “is nothing inconsistent with what we’ve been doing for many years by way of native authorities.”

Vice Chairman Mike Barbee requested if riders needed to fill out a Title VI type, which collects info on riders’ gender and normal ethnic identification, per the shape included within the agenda packet. The shape states it’s utterly voluntary, and Shank added it was for SCUSA workers members.

Shank stated he simply bought approval to alter the shape barely, which can want approval by the board at a later assembly, however riders shouldn’t have to fill them out.

The shape additionally states, “Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires the North Carolina Division of Transportation (NC DOT) to assemble statistical information concerning members and beneficiaries of the company’s federal-aid packages and actions.”

Barbee famous the method was voluntary, “however all types will likely be held on file which raised a purple flag with me.”

Lucas stated “in taking the motion, you continue to must approve the funds in June. If for no matter purpose come June you didn’t really feel such as you had the funding to match the 10 % required, there may be nothing holding your hand to this.” He stated the second step is appropriating the matching funds.

About Charles Curcio

Charles Curcio has served because the sports activities editor of the Stanly Information & Press for greater than 16 years and has written quite a few information and have storeis as effectively. He was awarded the NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Consultant of the 12 months and named CNHI Sports activities Editor of the 12 months in 2014. He has additionally received an award from Boone Newspapers, and has received 4 North Carolina Press Affiliation awards.

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