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October, 2002

I am taking this opportunity to give you all some facts that I would hope that you would pass upon to your neighbors before the November 5 election.  As you no doubt have read, in 2001, the Texas Legislature passed legislation which allows for the creation of coordinated county transportation authorities in counties that surround counties with populations of 1,000,000 persons or more.  Denton County is one of these counties which is eligible to take advantage of this legislation.   In October 2001, the Denton County Commissioners Court started the process to form the Denton County Transportation Authority.  A 12-person Interim Executive Committee was appointed, composed of a geographical cross-section of business and community leaders from Denton County.  Over the last several months, the Interim Executive Committee has worked to formulate a transportation service plan to serve the County over the next 25 years.  Prior to adopting this plan in June, representatives of the Interim Executive Committee met with city officials of each city in Denton County and attended city council meetings to answer questions and receive input regarding the plan.  Over the last 3-4 months, members of the Interim Executive Committee have attended over 100 meetings in an effort to put forth a service plan that reflects the desires of the county and the county’s transportation needs.

The goals of the Transportation Authority and the Interim Executive Committee are basically 4 fold:  Improve transportation for the County and the region, maintain and improve the County’s quality of life, contribute to the improvement of the County’s air quality, and promote economic development in the County.

In the November 5 general election, Denton County voters will have the opportunity to consider authorizing the creation of the Denton County Transportation Authority.  If created, the Authority will then refine the service plan and propose a finance plan to reflect voting results.  While the major beneficiaries of the service plan will initially be the eastern part of Denton County, realization of the 4 goals of the Authority will have long-term benefits for the rest of the County.  Studies have shown and businesses relocating to the area have confirmed that a viable transportation system is a major factor considered by businesses when they are considering establishing or relocating parts of their businesses to Denton County.  A viable rapid transit system will improve our quality of life and promote economic development in our community, thereby increasing property values.

The service plan proposed by the Interim Executive Committee, when implemented, will be funded only out of future, voter-approved sales tax revenues and ridership revenues, and not out of new ad valorem taxes set by the Authority.  This is not what the vote on November 5th authorizes.   At the proper time after the Transportation Authority is formed as a result of a positive vote on November 5th, the Authority will come back to the citizens to ask for funding for transportation..  In other words, those persons who use the transportation system and purchase taxable goods and services in the County will pay for rapid transit in the County.  Funding will not be based upon property values and the levying of taxes thereon.  The members of the Interim Executive Committee have worked tirelessly to develop a plan that reflects the wishes of the County and serves the needs of the County on a long-term basis.  Let me stress again that voting in favor of the establishment of the Denton County Transportation Authority on November 5 is not a vote approving a sales tax to support development of the transportation system.  That question will be put before the voters at a subsequent election.  This plan, if implemented, will serve the needs of Denton County over the next 25 years.  I believe it is a good plan and one that will attain the Transportation Authority’s 4 goals.  I personally encourage you to vote in favor of the creation of the Denton County Transportation Authority on November 5.

Fred Busche, Highland Village City Councilman

Light rail public transportation is being planned for our community and it needs your support in November of 2002.  See the following note from local leader, Charlie Correll.

What is DCTA?  DCTA is an acronym for "The Denton County Transportation Authority."  DCTA was established by the County Commissioners in November 2001, under the authority of the Texas Legislature (HB3323) and charged with developing a Service Plan for "Public Transportation" for the entire county.

There are 12 members of the DCTA Executive Committee, all volunteers and all selected by their cities, or appointed (3 members) by the Commissioners' Court or elected by area of small cities by vote.

A general election will be held November 5, 2002, to determine if the county electorate wants Public Transportation and also to approve/disapprove of the "Service Plan" developed by the Executive Committee.

The "Service Plan" is developed using rail as the principle conveyance and is regional in that it will interface with DART and the Ft Worth "T" system.  There will be supplemental bus service for collector routes and in areas not served by rail.

The DCTA system will have its first rail service (Carrolton to Lake Dallas) in 2008 and will extend service to Denton in 2014.

Funding for DCTA will be by Sales Tax and bonds (no ad valorem taxes).

Why DCTA?

Roads in metropolitan area are heavily congested and forecast to get worse, in 10 years, commuters will spend 40% of their time in congestion

TexDOT is inadequately funded to meet road expansion requirements.

TXDOT has already delayed and or dropped road projects in our area

Air Quality requirements: we are in a non attainment area and the forecast is that we will not attain air quality  requirements as required by EPA-consequence is severe loss of Federal Highway funds as well as restrictions on driving private automobiles-we have had 4 RED LETTER DAYS this year!

Efficiency-get on a train and ride to work in metro area-read a paper, do work etc-less stress!

Why should I vote and why should I vote for DCTA in September?

Civic responsibility-remember the people always get what they deserve in elected government and agencies.  Either because the chose by voting or chose by default (not voting and not being informed)

Under the law establishing DCTA, if a city opts out of DCTA they then have no voice and no method to effective object to operations, facilities etc. that my very well traverse their city but not provide any service to that city.

Public Transportation is coming to Denton County wither through DCTA or by some other agency-I prefer to "drive my own ship" rather than have an outside agency do so.


Regards
Charlie Correll
correll57@aol.com

Send mail to jim@highlandvillage.info with questions or comments.
Copyright © 2002 Citizen Voice
Last modified: May 16, 2004

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