[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6637513,"mediaKeyId","2586573-d10ac8b00ff50cae46615951e9d9db4d","parentId",2586573,"title","NTTA delays registered toll-rate decision; sends proposal to FAA committee after board debate","audioSeconds",3033,"startMs",2261000,"endMs",5294000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586573-d10ac8b00ff50cae46615951e9d9db4d&start=2261&end=5294","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586573-d10ac8b00ff50cae46615951e9d9db4d/thumbnail_2261000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6637513/Texas/NTTA-delays-registered-toll-rate-decision-sends-proposal-to-FAA-committee-after-board-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637513-22d7d36d2268d5a873521808e93fe016/orig.mp4?Expires=1770921276&Signature=kKMN6gm88MOikgIf0mosw297wH1krsq9ijprS3EjF7RJhgkN5dNQTUYUmzsARJqO0eas9MaE0f37pKc3Wgts7Vcpe263RRXqo5HEpCeIOFH-dy~vR9SBR4GiRCPgAcfhLsHxISepXU5qC8XM6hYf6CO4~2vHfLiROB6Rinh1HNsz5banEdkXOmfqRmpsKrVulc1ajuSO40TAXkc-ycVru45Nx--zu9PvdvD-Ge1UKqoCY8s4p8SRCDRC4cSixxGjNvgIdoFs~wj12TXoEzF9G~ANn7Y~o9QwMpDzXFvSBcXE80gRuMiVjBVUNIo2y9FvVx1ADuL4dyvsokQSI3Csgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Texas Tollway Authority","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","The North Texas Tollway Authority on March 12, 2025, discussed a proposed new \"registered toll\" rate that would let customers tie a license plate to a guaranteed payment mechanism (credit card) and be charged a lower rate than standard ZipCash invoices. Board members asked for more analysis and directed staff to return the item to the FAA committee in April for additional discussion and specific follow-up information.

Why it matters: The change is intended to expand lower-cost payment options for people who prefer or require license-plate-based transactions (including many commercial fleets) and to improve revenue assurance by reducing invoice generation and collection costs. Staff projected a net benefit to NTTA of roughly $14.7 million from the program at proposed pricing, but several board members sought further detail on consumer impacts, communication strategy and affected plate counts before adopting a final rate.

Proposal presented and projected effects

NTTA staff, led by Jeff Daley, presented a multi-phase rollout of a new registered toll rate: a license-plate-based payment tied to a guaranteed payment method would be charged 50% of the transponder (toll-tag) rate in the example used during the briefing. Illustrative pricing in staff's materials showed a $1.50 registered-plate charge compared with a $1.00 transponder rate and a $2.00 ZipCash premium in some examples. Staff's model indicated this change would affect a small share of system transactions initially (about 1% of overall transactions) and approximately 300,000 plates on toll-tag accounts (the presentation used 2023 data as a baseline) while yielding an estimated net benefit of about $14.7 million in the model presented.

Staff also proposed a phased rollout: April (interoperable and fleet transactions), June (license plates on NTTA toll accounts), August (ZipCash with autopay), and November (excessive license-plate reads and other edge cases). NTTA would not automatically change signage on roadways; initial outreach would rely on the NTTA website, targeted communications to fleet account managers, and billing inserts or emails.

Board concerns and direction

Board members raised multiple questions about equity, customer communication and operational details:

- Several members noted the board's sensitivity to toll-rate changes after the large increase in 2023 and requested more time and data before adopting a new rate structure for registered plates.

- Directors asked how the proposal would affect customers who prefer not to store payment information with NTTA or who face banking constraints (for example, potential overdraft risks). Staff responded that the registered option is voluntary and designed as an incentive to move some ZipCash customers to a lower-cost, guaranteed-payment arrangement.

- Directors asked for a clearer breakdown of how the $14.7 million net benefit was calculated; staff explained the benefit arises primarily from reclassifying certain \"interoperable\" license-plate customers who currently receive transponder rates while being license-plate billed, plus lower operating and billing costs (reduced invoice volume and lower per-transaction processing costs versus manual billing and OCR processing).

- Board members asked about outreach and whether customers would receive advance notification. Staff said toll-tag account holders would receive notices, fleets would be contacted directly, and ZipCash customers would be offered the option through billing inserts and emails.

Board action and next steps

Director Gravley formally moved to send the registered-toll-rate item back to the FAA committee for further review; Director Baker seconded. After discussion and with the chair's concurrence, the item was referred to the FAA committee for April with direction that staff provide specific follow-up data to committee members in advance. Staff committed to supply the additional materials and return to the FAA committee before bringing any final proposal back to the full board.

Speakers (first reference includes role/title as given in the transcript)

- Jeff Daley, staff presenter (finance and program briefing)
- Director Gravley, NTTA board member (moved referral)
- Director Baker, NTTA board member (seconded referral)
- Director Grama, NTTA board member (commenter)
- Director Knight, board member (presiding at the time of direction to committee)

Clarifying details extracted from the meeting record

- Proposed pricing example: registered-plate transaction shown as $1.50 (50% of transponder sample) compared with $1.00 transponder and $2.00 ZipCash example (figures used in staff presentation; modeled outcomes vary by segment). Source: Jeff Daley presentation.
- Staff's modeled net benefit: approximately $14,700,000 (staff estimate presented to the board; model inputs include projected reclassification of some interoperable license-plate transactions and lower billing/collection costs). Source: Jeff Daley presentation.
- Estimated affected plates and transactions: staff projected roughly 300,000 plates on toll-tag accounts may be eligible in the rollout phase; about 1% of systemwide transactions initially would move to the registered rate, per staff's illustrative model (using 2023 data as a baseline). Source: Jeff Daley presentation.
- Phased rollout timeline (staff-proposed, contingent on Board direction): April (interoperable/fleet), June (license plates on NTTA accounts), August (ZipCash autopay option), November (excessive license-plate reads and other cases).

Authorities and constraints noted

- The board emphasized the need for clear communications and compliance with NTTA's policies and trust agreements; staff noted legal and contract considerations will be accounted for before any final rate change.

Meeting outcome

- The board referred the registered toll-rate proposal to the FAA committee for further review in April; no final rate change or vote on adoption occurred on March 12. Staff will supply requested data and analysis to committee members before that meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","North Texas Tollway Authority - Board Meetings - Mar 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After extended discussion and questions from several board members, the NTTA board agreed to send the proposed registered toll rate policy to the FAA committee for further review; staff will provide requested data ahead of that committee meeting.","taxTitle","North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), Departments and Agencies, Executive, Texas","taxId",17435,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6637517,"NTTA board approves multiple construction, service and vendor contracts; updates debt and investment policies",3594,148000,3742000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586573-d10ac8b00ff50cae46615951e9d9db4d&start=148&end=3742","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586573-d10ac8b00ff50cae46615951e9d9db4d/thumbnail_148000.jpg","/articles/6637517/Texas/NTTA-board-approves-multiple-construction-service-and-vendor-contracts-updates-debt-and-investment-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637517-fccc70cc0ffdddd24d98ef8e0a2a6a58/orig.mp4?Expires=1770921276&Signature=BKN8uzyYqE5nlnq9r5ssc9UtvmD-x1Ijn3eiI92M60kpOXqOpyshzo3KAkeEa2-5fo5KdlibjsggyK1dYRFccgnokgz5UIGguSMd7Tffa-XgSH2ljON3hSZ2yrB4maMOjETsaWi~UCmgJnSinFfeqes-9~~eRpkd5OhgaX2yt78ry7dSJQRDUJZMFq9qAm3~-~J3lR7cyL1D0NEjmzFA9zuDyX8RJeTjJrbcJt~59EmAk6jCn0Q90z29OZ-3RY~NCJg6n2Wc~RsZKzvxt6YBebuWCfSJ-VIF-SeXVGEfKuXZKBT-ofKRGs4tOvjcxHPVQ3xdFglKHTSfJWcsXqnwLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Texas Tollway Authority board on March 12, 2025, voted to approve a series of construction, maintenance, vendor-selection and service contracts and to update the agency's debt and investment policies.

The actions approved include requests to advertise construction projects, selection of vendors for design and construction support, final contract awards for maintenance and pavement rehabilitation, and renewals of professional services contracts. Board members voted on each item separately; most motions carried unanimously.

Why it matters: The contracts span routine system upkeep and multi-million-dollar capital programs that NTTA funds from its capital improvement and reserve maintenance accounts. The vendor awards and contract approvals will move work into procurement, negotiation and construction phases and preserve cash and debt targets the board reviews annually.

What the board approved and key details

- Request to advertise: construction services for Dallas North Tollway LBJ interchange pavement and drainage rehabilitation. Budget estimate: $1,640,000; contract term: eight months; funding: Reserve Maintenance Fund. Motion to advertise carried (8-0).

- Construction contract approval: replacement of trailblazer signs on President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT), Beltline to I-78/Garland. Budget estimate: $600,000. Motion carried unanimously.

- Vendor selection (recommended vendors only): construction management and materials testing services for Chisholm Trail Parkway main lanes (FM 1187 to US 67). Recommended construction management vendors: 1836 Engineering and Roba Kisner; recommended material-testing vendors: Beyond Engineering and Testing and Textura Engineering. Estimated budgets: South job $7,640,000; North job $8,160,000 for construction management; testing estimates $2.7M and $2.97M. Board approved recommended vendors (9-0); final contracts will return in May for approval.

- Collection agency contracts (final approval): primary and secondary collection agency services (contingency fee structure). Primary recommended vendors: Harris & Harris, Transworld Systems and Penn Credit Corporation. Secondary recommended: Credit Control Services, F.H. Conn & Associates and Southwest Credit Systems. Work authorization not to exceed $12,500,000 for the remainder of the year; staff estimates ~$75M in collections from these efforts this portion of the year and ~$150M total across collection vendors for the year. Motion carried (9-0).

- Customer service support and business continuity (final contract approval): recommended vendors Harrison, Harris and I Corps USA; estimated remainder-of-year expense not to exceed $8,400,000; funded from Operations & Maintenance Fund, Enterprise Fund and Capital Improvement Fund. Motion carried (9-0).

- Asset management software final contract approval: recommended vendor Woolpert, Inc., for an asset lifecycle management solution (license, implementation, GIS integration) with a contract amount of approximately $6,600,000 over seven years; funding from Reserve Maintenance Fund and Operations & Maintenance Fund. Motion carried (9-0).

- Construction contract approvals: Dallas North Tollway at I-35 queue-warning system (low bid ~ $1,200,000; two-year contract; Capital Improvement Fund); PGBT shoulder rehabilitation (Midway to I-78; low bidder Regal Inc., ~ $4,800,000; seven-month term; Reserve Maintenance Fund); Sam Rayburn Tollway pavement rehabilitation (26 locations; low bidder Palmer Hall Construction, ~ $400,000; six-month term; Reserve Maintenance Fund). Each motion carried unanimously.

- PCI (Payment Card Industry) audit services renewal: BDO Alliance, three-year renewal not to exceed $438,150; funded from Operations & Maintenance Fund. Motion carried (9-0).

- Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) implementation (exempt sole-source): contract with Information Logistics to integrate NTTA with FEMA's IPAWS and the vendor's HelpAlerts platform to geofence and send targeted roadway emergency alerts to drivers. Contract: just under $500,000 for four years; funded from Capital Improvement Fund. Motion carried (9-0).

- Interlocal agreement: material testing and inspection services with the Texas Department of Transportation for off-site prefabricated materials. Legal review completed; agreement approved (9-0).

- Annual policy reviews and updates: debt policy (added language to allow staff to evaluate and recommend debt retirement options such as defeasance, subject to Board approval and trust agreements), investment policy updates (authorized training providers and qualified financial institutions list updated) and no changes to disclosure or insider trading policies for 2025. Motion carried (9-0).

Board process and next steps

Staff indicated several of the recommended-vendor items (Chisholm Trail Parkway management and testing) will return in May for final contract negotiation and award. For construction projects where final contracts were approved, staff will move to execute contracts and begin scheduling work. For the IPAWS agreement, NTTA will pursue FEMA and Texas Department of Emergency Management approvals and develop SOPs and personnel training per FEMA requirements.

Speakers (first reference includes role as given in the transcript)

- Chair (unnamed), presiding officer
- Elizabeth Mao, staff presenter (construction projects)
- Kevin Banks, Director of Contact Center Collections (NTTA)
- Amadeus Meskani, staff presenter (maintenance/asset management)
- Eric/Hampell (presenter for queue-warning and IPAWS items; transcript identifies as Eric Hampell/Hampell), staff presenter
- Jeff Daley, staff presenter (finance/forecasting and IPAWS briefing)
- Kelly McGuire, staff presenter (debt and investment policy)
- Corina Johnson, Director of Human Resources (briefing items)
- Horatio Porter, Chief Financial Officer (finance briefing)
- Directors voting/moving motions referenced in the meeting record: Vice Chair Haddad (also referred to as Adad in the transcript), Director Knight, Director Gravley, Director Camp, Director Michalak, Director Casada, Director Baker, Director Quesada, Director Kemp

Authorities referenced

- Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) interlocal agreement (type: interlocal agreement) referenced by item 10c
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) IPAWS program and Texas Department of Emergency Management approvals (type: federal/state program/authorization) referenced by IPAWS item

Actions (formal motions / votes recorded in the transcript)

[Note: vote tallies and mover/second recorded per the meeting transcript. Where specific mover/second were identified in the meeting record, they are listed. Where the transcript provided tally but not roll-call votes, only the tally is recorded.]

1) motion: \"Approve advertising for construction services for the Dallas North Tollway pavement and drainage rehabilitation at LBJ interchange box.\" mover: Director Knight; second: Vice Chair Dodd (reported as second from transcript). tally: yes 8, no 0; outcome: approved. notes: budget estimate $1,640,000; 8-month term; funding Reserve Maintenance Fund.

2) motion: \"Approve construction contract for President George Bush Turnpike trailblazer sign replacement.\" mover: Director Casada; second: Director Michalak. tally: unanimous (recorded as unanimous); outcome: approved. notes: budget estimate $600,000.

3) motion: \"Approve recommended vendors for construction management and materials testing services for Chisholm Trail Parkway (FM 1187 to US 67).\" mover: Vice Chair Haddad; second: Director Walmsgans. tally: yes 9, no 0; outcome: approved (recommended vendors; final contracts to return in May). notes: CM budgets ~ $7.64M (South), $8.16M (North); testing ~ $2.7M and $2.97M; funding Capital Improvement Fund.

4) motion: \"Approve final contract awards for primary and secondary collection agency services and work authorization not to exceed $12,500,000.\" mover: Director Gravley; second: Director Knight. tally: yes 9, no 0; outcome: approved. notes: primary vendors Harris & Harris, Transworld Systems, Penn Credit; secondary Credit Control Services, F.H. Conn & Associates, Southwest Credit Systems; staff estimate $75M collections from current authorization and $150M total collections for year.

5) motion: \"Approve customer service support and business continuity contracts and work authorization not to exceed $8,400,000.\" mover: Director Camp; second: Vice Chair Haddad. tally: yes 9, no 0; outcome: approved.

6) motion: \"Approve final contract with Woolpert, Inc. for asset management software (Trimble/Unity/DOT systems integration) not to exceed ~$6,600,000 over seven years.\" mover: Director Knight; second: Director Camp. tally: yes 9, no 0; outcome: approved. notes: funding Reserve Maintenance Fund and O&M Fund.

7) motion: \"Approve construction contract for Dallas North Tollway at I-35 queue-warning system (low bidder Road Solutions LLC, ~ $1.2M).\" mover: Director Camp; second: Director Walmsgans. tally: yes 9, no 0; outcome: approved.

8) motion: \"Approve construction contract for PGBT shoulder rehabilitation (Midway to I-78; low bidder Regal Inc., ~ $4.8M).\" mover: Vice Chair Dodd; second: Director Baker. tally: yes 9, no 0; outcome: approved.

9) motion: \"Approve construction contract for Sam Rayburn Tollway pavement rehabilitation (low bidder Palmer Hall Construction, ~ $400,000).\" mover: Vice Chair Haddad; second: Director Baker. tally: yes 9, no 0; outcome: approved.

10) motion: \"Approve renewal contract with BDO Alliance for PCI audit services, amount not to exceed $438,150.\" mover: Director Mihalik; second: Vice Chair Haddad. tally: yes 9, no 0; outcome: approved.

11) motion: \"Approve contract with Information Logistics for IPAWS integration and ongoing support (sole source), just under $500,000 for four years.\" mover: Director Kemp; second: Director Knight. tally: yes 9, no 0; outcome: approved.

12) motion: \"Approve interlocal agreement with TxDOT for off-site prefabricated material testing and inspection services.\" mover: Director Quesada; second: Director Kemp. tally: yes 9, no 0; outcome: approved.

13) motion: \"Approve 2025 updates to debt and investment policies and the list of qualified financial institutions; no changes to disclosure or insider trading policies.\" mover: Director Gravley; second: Director Walmsgans. tally: yes 9, no 0; outcome: approved.

Discussion vs decision notes

- Several items (Chisholm Trail Parkway vendors, asset management contracts) were presented as \"recommended vendors\" only; staff will negotiate final contracts and return in May for authorizing contract execution.
- The IPAWS item approved a sole-source relationship with Information Logistics; staff emphasized the requirement to obtain FEMA and Texas Department of Emergency Management approvals and develop FEMA-approved SOPs and training.

Clarifying details extracted from the meeting record

- Chisholm Trail Parkway vendor budgets (estimates): CM South $7,640,000; CM North $8,160,000; testing $2.7M and $2.97M; contract terms three years; funding Capital Improvement Fund.
- Collection agencies: work authorization not to exceed $12,500,000 for remainder of year; staff estimates $75,000,000 in collections from those authorizations and approximately $150,000,000 total from collection activity across the year.
- Asset management software contract: Woolpert, Inc.; ~$6,600,000 over seven years; funding from Reserve Maintenance Fund and O&M Fund.
- Queue warning system: low bid ~ $1,200,000; contract term two years; funding Capital Improvement Fund.
- PGBT shoulder rehab: low bid ~ $4,800,000; seven-month term; funding Reserve Maintenance Fund.
- Sam Rayburn Tollway rehab: low bid ~ $400,000; six-month term; funding Reserve Maintenance Fund.
- PCI audit: BDO Alliance renewal $438,150 for three years; funded from O&M Fund.
- IPAWS contract: exempt sole-source with Information Logistics, just under $500,000 for four years; funding Capital Improvement Fund.

Proper names mentioned (standardized)

[{\"name\":\"North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA)\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Information Logistics\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Woolpert, Inc.\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"BDO Alliance\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Regal Inc.\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Palmer Hall Construction\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Road Solutions LLC\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Harris & Harris\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Transworld Systems\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Penn Credit Corporation\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Credit Control Services\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"F.H. Conn & Associates\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Southwest Credit Systems\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"1836 Engineering\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Roba Kisner\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Beyond Engineering and Testing\",\"type\":\"business\"},{\"name\":\"Textura Engineering\",\"type\":\"business\"}]

Searchable tags

[\"procurement\",\"construction\",\"maintenance\",\"IPAWS\",\"alerts\",\"asset-management-software\",\"collections\",\"customer-service\",\"PCI\",\"debt-policy\",\"investment-policy\",\"NTTA\",\"Chisholm-Trail\",\"PGBT\",\"Dallas-North-Tollway\"]

Provenance (evidence excerpts from transcript supporting this article)

[{\"block_id\":\"s=148.54\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":227,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"The next 2 items are a request to advertise, and the first item up is item 7 a, construction services for the Dallas North Towway pavement and drainage rehabilitation at I 635. Elizabeth Mao will present this item.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"s=3722.95\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":60,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Any opposition? Alright. That motion passes 9 to 0 on item 11, which brings us to our last action item, item number 12, approval of registered toll rate.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]

salience\":{\"overall\":0.68,\"overall_justification\":\"Multiple contract awards and policy updates affecting capital program spending and operations; several multi-million-dollar authorizations and vendor selections.\"},

searchable_tags:[\"contracts\",\"procurement\",\"policy\",\"NTTA\"]} ,{","The North Texas Tollway Authority board on March 12 approved a package of construction, maintenance, vendor and service contracts and updated several finance policies. Votes on each item were recorded individually; staff will return to the board in May for several final contract approvals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

NTTA delays registered toll-rate decision; sends proposal to FAA committee after board debate

NTTA board approves multiple construction, service and vendor contracts; updates debt and investment policies