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Presentation by the MPO Board’s General Planning Consultant, Benesch & Associates, on the Draft Citrus County FY 2026-FY 2035 Transit Development Plan (TDP)
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
Pursuant to Florida Administrative Code (FAC), Rule 14-73.001, each transit agency in Florida that receives State Block Grant funding is required to adopt a Transit Development Plan for a ten-year planning horizon. A TDP or an annual TDP Update shall be used in developing the five-year Work Program of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the Transportation Improvement Program, and the FDOT’s Program and Resource Plan. Major updates to its Transit Development Plan (TDP) are required every five years and annual progress reports in the intervening years.
The Transit Development Plan is to address the needs, costs and revenue projections, and community transit goals, objectives, and policies. The development of the TDP is to be coordinated and consistent with the Long Range Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Plan, the Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plans, and the Comprehensive Plans of the jurisdictions served (Citrus County, the City of Inverness, and the City of Crystal River).
The Hernando-Citrus MPO’s General Planning Consultant, Benesch & Associates, developed the draft FY 2026-FY 2035 TDP and will outline their recommendations. The draft TDP will be provided to the FDOT in September of 2025 for their review.
A required Public Involvement Plan (PIP) was developed by the General Planning Consultant, approved by the Florida Department of Transportation, and utilized the Hernando-Citrus MPO’s public meeting venues and participation processes. The proposed TDP includes:
• Documentation and analysis of the demographic conditions in the current service area,
• Evaluation of existing transit services,
• Market research and extensive public involvement opportunities including on-board and online surveys, in-person public meetings, and workshops,
• Analysis of immediate and long-term transit service and capital project needs; and,
• A 10-year Operating and Capital Program that includes a schedule of projects, a financial plan, and a list of priority projects based on the 10-year schedule of projects.
Pursuant to FAC, Rule 14-73.002, all 5-year TDP and Annual TDP Updates must be presented to the local MPO Board. The TDP is required to be approved by the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners as the transit agency.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Not applicable.
LEGAL NOTE
Pursuant to Chapters 339.175 and 341.052 Florida Statutes and Florida Administration Code Rule 14-73.001, the MPO Board has the authority to take the recommended action.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended the MPO Board review the presentation by Benesch & Associates on the draft Citrus County FY 2026-FY 2035 Transit Development Plan (TDP) and provide comments as desired. The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners, as the transit agency, will be required to approve the TDP for submission to the Florida Department of Transportation for review.