JACKSON – A brief public hearing was held here Monday during the Northampton County Board of Commissioners regular meeting. The topic, presented by Office of Aging Director Joslyn Reagor, was to gain approval for the annual Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) grant application.

Reagor explained the application consolidates three separate programs into one. Those programs are the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program, the Rural General Public Transportation Program, and the Work Transitional-Employment Program. Funds for these programs will come from the NC Department of Transportation.

“There is no match for the county,” Reagor noted, referencing the programs are fully funded by the state.

“These services provide our seniors and our handicapped citizens with transportation,” she continued. “I just ask you all to approve this application so that they can continue to have transportation.”

The total allocation amount this year is $123,385, an amount only about $500 less than the previous year. That money will be split between four different transportation providers to cover all three programs.

For the Elderly and Disabled Assistance Program, the J.W. Faison Senior Center will receive $38,961 while Roanoke Valley Adult Day will receive $20,000. The Office of Aging will receive $7,323 to implement the Employment Transportation Program. Lastly, the Rural General Public Transportation Program funds will be allocated to Choanoke Public Transportation Authority (CPTA).

Chairman Robert Carter opened the floor for public comments or questions, but none were heard. There were no questions from the Commissioners either.

Commissioner Geneva Faulkner motioned to approve, and Commissioner Chester Deloatch seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor.

Following that item on the agenda was a Memorandum of Understanding in regards to the ROAP application. Reagor explained the memorandum would allow CPTA to transfer funds between counties in the region they serve. These counties include Bertie, Hertford, Halifax, and Northampton.

“In the event we run short (of funds), we can go to another county and get that money,” she reported, noting they could also transfer extra funds to other counties if necessary.

Again, the commissioners had little discussion about the annual agreement and quickly approved the memorandum after Commissioner Charles Tyner motioned to approve and Commissioner Fannie Greene seconded.