Subject:
Title
Approval, Re: Federal Transit Administration Fiscal Year 2023 Certification and Assurances
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Fiscal Impact:
There is no Fiscal Impact in approving the Federal Certifications and Assurances; however, if the Board chooses not to approve the Certification and Assurances, then Space Coast Area Transit will be unable to draw any Federal Administration Funding. Current apportionment to Space Coast Area Transit for Fiscal Year 2023 Totals $7,518,812.
Dept/Office:
Transit Services
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Fiscal Year 2023 Certification and Assurances for Federal Transit Administration Grants. It is further requested that the Board authorize the Transit Director execute the Certifications and Assurances electronically.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
Each year, Brevard County, as the designated grantee for Federal Transit Administration funding, must agree to the Federal Transit Administration Certifications and Assurances in order to draw Federal funds. The certifications spell out twenty-one (21) categorical mandates that must be complied with, such as: Purchasing and Procurement, Safety Plans, Transit Asset Management Plan, Alcohol and Controlled Substance Testing, State of Good Repair, Seniors and individuals with Disabilities Programs, along with other certifications and assurances.
The Certifications Assurances are a pre-award requirement from the Federal Transit Administration that must be approved and signed within 90 days of the publication date of January 27, 2023. Failure to approve the Certifications and Assurances will delay or deny the disbursement of Federal Transit Administration funds. Brevard County receives over $7 million in Federal Transit Administration funds annually. The capital and preventative maintenance budgets for Space Coast Area Transit’s are funded entirely by Federal Transit Funds.
By signing the Certifications and Assurances, Space Coast Area Transit is obligated to meet a number of Federal requirements such as Drug and Alcohol Testing, Federal Procurement Regulations, Safety Plans, etc. It is difficult to measure the cost of these requirements without a detailed study; however, it is estimated that expenses are approximately $250,000 to $350,000 per year, which are reimbursable through State and Federal grants.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Please have the Chair sign one set of the FY2023 Certifications and Assurances and send it to Transit Services.