Julio Aguilar

The meeting included briefings on the status of the Fiscal Year 2026 Internal Audit Budget, which is currently under budget in key categories such as salaries and auditing services. Additionally, the committee received updates on the Fiscal Year 2026 Financial, Operational, and IT Audit Plan, as well as a status report regarding the quarterly follow-up on management action plans resulting from prior audit recommendations.

The committee reviewed the performance evaluation and compensation adjustment for the Chief Audit Officer. Additionally, the committee discussed findings from internal audits, including the Cyber Security Program Audit and the Service Planning and Scheduling Process Audit, with recommendations to forward these reports to the Board of Directors.

The committee meeting agenda included approvals for the Signal Systems Maintenance Audit and the Construction Activity Audit. Additionally, the committee addressed the approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 Internal Audit Department Budget and the Fiscal Year 2026 Internal Audit Plan. Other discussion items involved briefings on the status of the Fiscal Year 2025 internal audit budget and plan, management action plans, and a report regarding a Public Integrity Committee investigation into theft by a former employee.

The Board meeting covered a wide range of agenda items, including the approval of various service contracts for Employee Assistance Programs, agency advertising services, and rail maintenance support. Significant focus was placed on preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with approvals for contract modifications for Trinity Railway Express operations, including locomotive spare parts and infrastructure support. The Board also discussed the submission of federal grant applications, supported applications for Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside funding for the Cotton Belt Trail, and approved performance evaluations and compensation for key executive leadership roles. Additionally, the Board conducted elections for new officers and authorized the conveyance of surplus property related to the Silver Line Regional Rail Project.

The Board discussed and approved several contracts, including onsite drug testing services, enterprise data integration tool maintenance, audio-video systems for the Consolidated Dispatch and Command Center, ticket vending machine cashbox bill mechanism rebuilds, and light rail vehicle axle journal bearing removal and installation services. Additionally, the Board addressed financial standards for the FY 2025 budget and 20-year financial plan, increased contract values for the Silver Line Regional Rail Project, and approved various agreements, including a lease of land, a construction and maintenance agreement, an interlocal agreement for cooperative purchasing, and service standard amendments.