Department of Rural and Municipal Aid

The Department of Rural and Municipal Aid acts as the liaison to all local governments regarding transportation needs. This Department is made up of two offices: the Office of Local Programs (OLP) and the Office of Rural and Secondary Roads (ORSR).

THE OFFICE OF LOCAL PROGRAMS

The Office of Local Programs administers two federally-funded programs: the Transportation Alternatives Programs (TAP) and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ). Each is a grant program which administers funds allocated by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Both programs conduct an application cycle in the fall wherein local governments can apply for project funding. The Office of Local Programs has its own web page (Scroll to bottom for link).

Examples of projects include: sidewalks (ADA compliance, providing a safe route from schools or neighborhoods, pharmacies and assisted living facilities), transference of diesel busses to electronic, roundabouts, safe routes for non-drivers, bicycle or pedestrian transportation facilities, traffic flow improvements, etc.

THE OFFICE OF RURAL AND SECONDARY ROADS

The Office of Rural Secondary Roads administers three revenue-sharing programs funded by state motor fuel taxes as provided by Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) 177.320 through 177.366. These programs include the County and Municipal Road Aid Cooperative Programs and the Rural Secondary Program.

County and Municipal Road Aid

Each fiscal year, counties and cities across our state are allocated county and municipal road aid funds. County Road Aid funding is based on the Fifths Formula, and Municipal Road Aid funding is based on population as determined by the most recent Census. These funds are to be used for the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of county roads and city streets. Counties and cities have two choices as to how to receive their funds. They can elect to receive a monthly payment processed by the Kentucky Department for Local Government or they can opt to participate in one of the ORSR Cooperative Programs. County and city co-op members have the benefit of applying for financial assistance when an emergency road situation arises.

Participants in the cooperative program receive a portion of their road aid funds at three times thoughout the year. Typically, the first payment is about 60% of the total anticipated road aid available to the county or city. The second payment makes an additional 30% available, and the third and final installment is the remaining balance based on the actual revenues, tabulated after the end of the fiscal year (June 30).

Cooperative Program

Counties and cities who would like to participate in the cooperative program may enroll between February and April each year. They will then enter into a contract with the Transportation Cabinet, committing to participate in the program for the entire fiscal year. Local governments may contact our office for more information on joining the County Road Aid Cooperative Program or the Municipal Aid Cooperative Program. 502.564.2060

Emergency Funding

Participants in the cooperative program have 3% of their road aid funding withheld. This money is then placed in an emergency fund. (Municipal Aid Co-op and County Road Aid Co-op have their own respective emergency funds.) Participants in the co-op program are eligible to request funding for emergency projects. Non-participants are not.

To request emergency funding for either the County Road Aid Co-op or Municipal Road Aid Co-op, the participating county or city must submit form TC 20-16 along with a detailed cost estimate and pictures of the existing site conditions to the Office of Rural Secondary Roads. The information provided will be reviewed, and, if approved, the applicant will be notified of approval, and 50% of the approved funding shall be issued immediately. Once the project is complete, the reimbursement process begins with completion of form TC 20-38 and supporting documentation.

The state is responsible for 80% of the project cost (up to the approved amount), and the local government is responsible for 20% as well as any costs above the approved amount.

Rural Secondary Program

The Rural Secondary (RS) Program is funded by 22.2% of the motor fuels tax revenue. These funds are used for the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of secondary and rural roads in each county. Allocation of RS funds is determined using the Fifths Formula. The Transportation Cabinet is responsible for expending all Rural Secondary Program funds.

•80/20 Bridge Program
The 80/20 Bridge Program is funding set aside for each county out of the RS funding pot. These funds are to be used for drainage structure repair or replacement. To apply for these funds, the county must submit form TC 20-35, a detailed cost estimate, and pictures. The request must be for repairing or replacing an existing structure. Funds cannot be used for a new structure. If approved, the county will enter into an agreement with the Cabinet, which will fund 80% of the cost. A KYTC prequalified contractor must complete the work.

•Flex Funds
The Flex program provides funds for resurfacing county roads. Flex amount allocations are determined by the condition of the state roads in each county. The better condition the state roads in a county are in, the more flex funding the county receives for resurfacing of county roads. To apply for Flex Funds, the county must submit form TC 20-34. After receipt of this form, the appropriate KYTC district personnel will evaluate the recommended roads. If there are no discrepancies, KYTC will enter into an agreement with the county. Once work is complete, the county submits form TC 20-38 along with proper backup documents in order to be reimbursed.

Rural Secondary Roads Mapping Site: https://maps.kytc.ky.gov/ruralandsecondaryroads/

Department of Rural and Municipal Aid

Commissioner's Office____

Bobbi Jo Lewis, Commissioner

Debra Powell, Executive Administrative Secretary

Christie Ross, Executive Advisor

Office of Rural Secondary Roads____

Craig Caudill, Engineering Branch Manager

Sara Hall, Budget Specialist

Kelley Johnson, Executive Staff Advisor

Office of Local Programs____

Jackie Jones, Staff Assistant

Mike Jones, Historic Preservation Program Administrator
Holly Crosthwaite, Federal Program Specialist

Vicki Barnes, Grants Administrator

Resources

DEPT RMA OVERVIEW 2023.pdf

KBT Conference Presentation 1-24-25

KCJEA/KMA Summer Conference 6-11-25

KACTFO Presentation 3-11-25
KMCA Presentation 3-26-25

Bridge & Beam Drawings

Forms

TC 20-16 Emergency Project Funding Request REVISED 2025
TC 20-34 RS Flex Program Recommendations
TC 20-35 RS Bridge Program Recommendations
TC 20-38 Request for Road Aid Reimbursement
TC 20-41 County Priority Projects Program
TC 20-42 Highway Contingency Fund
TC 20-43 Certification of Completion for CCBIP
TC 20-44 County-City Bridge Improvement Program Application

CONTACT US:

KY Transportation Cabinet

Department of Rural and Municipal Aid

200 Mero Street, 6th Floor - East

Frankfort, KY 40601

RuralandMunicipalAid@ky.gov

T: (502) 564-2060

F: (502) 564-6615

How to Report a Problem

If you need to report a county road problem, please contact your county road department. To report a state road problem, please contact your highway district office.