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Title
Interlocal Agreement with Trinity Railway Express (TRE) for FY 2019 and payment of Grand Prairie's portion of the operating cost in the amount of $54,217
Presenter
Walter Shumac III, P.E., Director of Transportation Services
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The City of Grand Prairie has participated with the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) in providing transportation for our Grand Prairie residents. The City entered into an inter-local agreement because there are Grand Prairie residents using the TRE and benefiting from the service. The fare collected from riders does not completely fund the TRE service. Member cities make up the operating costs for their residents to have and use the service. This agreement is our fair share to make up the operating cost so our residents can enjoy the service. The cost is based on actual ridership of Grand Prairie residents as determined by a license plate study. This study is conducted by the North Central Texas Council of Government (NCTCOG) and is reviewed by staff.
The City Council passed a resolution on September 6, 2005 to enter into an inter-local agreement with the NCTCOG for Grand Prairie’s portion of operating costs for the TRE. This agreement was for $63,422 per year through 2007. On October 2, 2007 and again on November 2, 2010 the City Council approved a continuation of the inter-local agreement in the amount of $69,764 through year 2013. The agreement has since expired and no monies have been paid.
NCTCOG completed the 2014 Trinity Railway Express License Plate Study in order to determine the cost share for Grand Prairie and other participating cities. This study identified Grand Prairie’s portion of the operating cost of the TRE at $120,607. An updated study was completed in 2017 and used to determine any modifications to the City’s share for the years 2018-2020. The City's ongoing participation request will be $87,412. Because the City paid $120,605 in 2017 and the updated survey showed the City's participation amount would be $87,412, the current year's contribution was reduced to $54,217 (excess contribution from FY2017 was $33,195)
Upon determination of the City’s revised cost share, an agreement for fiscal years 2018-2020 was submitted for approval. The NCTCOG is asking the City to renew our commitment to support the TRE with an inter-local agreement. Staff recommends that the City continue the program.
Item was presented to Finance and Government Committee on August 6, 2017.
Financial Consideration
Funding for the TRE Payment, in the amount of $54,217, is available in the FY 2018/2019 Storm Water Operating Budget (233010) 61865 (TRE Payments)