SIDNEY -- The Sidney City Council approved a funding application to support the city's public transportation system.

In a recent city council meeting, the council approved a 5311 Funding Application of the Federal Transit Act for the Nebraska Public Transportation Operating Assistance Program. 

The City receives state and federal funding in support of the transportation program on a two-year cycle. Every two years the State Transportation Department requires the City to pass a two-year budget to request state and federal funding. The Operating Assistance application is for July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025.

Sidney's transportation program is reimbursed 75 percent of its operating budget -- 50 percent federal and 25 percent state -- and 80 percent for non-operating costs -- 80 percent federal and 10 percent state. The City applies bi-annually for funding through the Nebraska Department of Roads, according to City Transportation Superintendent Kasey Kantor's February 28 memo to the city council.

The two-year budget shows projected costs at $1,122,300 and projected revenue at $43,000 for a deficit of $1,079,300. The budget qualifies Sidney for Federal funding of $802,840 and State funding of $138,230 with the City responsible for $138,230.

The city council has also approved a required update of the Title VI plans for the Transportation Department. Title VI states that no one will be discriminated against due to race, sex, age, or disability. The City has a governing board should there be a complaint or suspected discrimination. The board consists of the human relations director, city manager, chief of police, and transportation superintendent.