Austin Frith

The meeting agenda included several items for discussion and action. The Consent Agenda covered the approval of the January 22, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes, approval of an update to the Investment Policy within the DCTA Financial Management Policies, and the designation of Derick Sibley as the Investment Officer. Additionally, approval was sought for a Parking License Agreement with Action Behavior Centers Therapy, LLC for employee parking at MedPark Station. The Regular Agenda included discussions and consideration for the acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Audit, monthly financial statements for December 31, 2025, and related grants and investment reports. Further items involved budget revisions and CEO authorization for the purchase of three 40-foot Gillig Diesel Buses from Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), negotiation for the purchase of three 2020 Gillig Buses from DART, and updates on the DCTA Marketing Program, including a proposed task order for an expanded campaign. Discussion items included updates on the City of Frisco Technology Based Transit Concept, DCTA Data Management and Data Warehouse construction, the A-train Enhancement Program, the Intermediate Service Plan Phase III, and the Consolidated DCTA Customer Service Function. Informational reports addressed Safety, Service, and Ridership for January 2026, updates on development projects, interlocal agreements, and task orders.

The meeting commenced with brief personal updates regarding COVID-19 vaccination experiences. The public comment period was opened but no written or live comments were received. The consent agenda, items one through three, was approved unanimously. Key discussion items in the regular agenda included the presentation and approval of the Fiscal Year 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Single Audit Report, where an unmodified opinion was issued with no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies noted. The Board also approved the selection of a new auditing firm, Plant Mearion, for the FY 2021 through 2023 audit services, replacing Weaver. Additionally, the Board addressed an inquiry regarding the easement obligation payments to DART for track usage.

The meeting addressed technical issues that caused a restart of discussions regarding item three: discussion of modifications proposed to the Connect service. Key takeaways included strong ridership for both Connect and GoZone services, with GoZone ridership growing quickly. It was noted that the majority of trips cannot be served by the existing fixed route network, but the fixed route remains a mode of choice for reliable base ridership, and the overall network is growing ridership. Recommendations for service changes were structured around four pillars: a redesigned fixed route network as a short-term bridge, configuration of the GoZone app to highlight intermodal capabilities, adjusting pricing, and deploying technology to optimize the modes' operation together. Discussions detailed proposed route profile changes for Denton Connect, showing tighter networks and increased connectivity in certain areas, and Louisville Connect, which proposed converting Route 22 into two distinct circulators integrated with the A-Train schedule. A comparison of current versus proposed service parameters indicated generally increased frequency and round trips on routes, with restricted hours of operation, often utilizing fewer vehicles than budgeted for the current state service. A specific point of discussion involved Route 5, which resulted from breaking down a larger Route 4 into two distinct, tighter routes to improve frequency and reliability in transit-supportive population density areas. It was confirmed that proposed scheduled headways are achievable against current staffing levels. Discussions also covered improving the GoZone app by highlighting transit connection points to encourage linked trips with the fixed route service, and addressing price inversion incentives through pricing adjustments rather than limiting GoZone trips.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and pledge, followed by introductions, including the welcoming of new University of North Texas partners and the introduction of the new Vice President of Finance, Derek Sibly. The board approved the consent agenda. Key discussions on the regular agenda focused on the Transportation Reinvestment (TRIP) Program, specifically reviewing the Fiscal Year 2025 annual report and considering approval for the Fiscal Year 2026 TRIP call for projects allocation. The discussion involved reviewing the program's history, financial status, project progress across member cities (Highland Village, Lewisville, and Denton), and the allocation structure, which allows for annual adjustment between 5% and 15% of available funds. Board members discussed the importance of reporting on banked funds for future projects, such as Lewisville's TOD project and Highland Village's FM 407 corridor study. The board also reviewed long-range financial planning, confirming fiscal soundness through 2037, and noting significant fund allocations for major capital projects like the Downtown Carolton A-Train extension and A-Train frequency improvements.

The meeting included an invocation and expressions of condolence for a faithful operator, Mr. Jim Owen, who recently passed away. The public comments section featured a citizen expressing concerns regarding service and schedule changes for buses, alleging sabotage in preference for Go Zone service, and requesting the removal of Mr. Suarez. The board chair encouraged staff to follow up with the citizen. The meeting proceeded with the consent agenda, which passed unanimously. Regular agenda item one involved a presentation and approval of the Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, which received an unmodified (clean) auditor's opinion, with no findings related to internal controls or federal compliance noted. Regular agenda item two was a mobility service update, covering Go Zone performance, the upcoming comprehensive operations analysis, and a briefing on March service changes. Discussion focused on increasing Go Zone wait times and seat unavailability percentages due to increased demand in January.