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RMA, county dispute primacy over Western Hidalgo County Loop; board tables then restores resolution for further review
Summary
The RMA said Hidalgo County has asked the regional MPO to sponsor parts of the Western Hidalgo County Loop; the board tabled, then placed back on the agenda, a resolution asserting RMA primacy and held an executive-session consultation with counsel.
Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority Chairman Robert El Lozano reported to the board that Hidalgo County has asked the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization to exercise project sponsorship for portions of the Western Hidalgo County Loop, a corridor included in the RMA'025—2029 strategic plan.
"It's our understanding that they have proceeded to request of the MPO to, you know, exercise authority, over that portion of the loop," El Lozano said during the chairman's report. He said the RMA had previously met with county leadership and stakeholders and had proposed a partnership framework. "From my perspective, I believed that the RMA's single focus of, you know, the transportation projects that are going on or will be going on. This is what the RMA is for, and feel very good, supporting that," El Lozano said.
Board members asked staff what "exercise authority" meant in practice; staff said it relates to which entity would act as project sponsor and who would lead predevelopment and funding efforts. A staff member said the RMA had not yet defined any monetary-participation lines and that discussions with municipalities and county officials were ongoing.
At the regular-agenda consideration of resolution 2025-15 (a resolution acknowledging the RMA's 2025—2029 strategic plan and asserting primacy over the Hidalgo County Loop), one director moved to table the resolution. The motion to table passed on voice vote.
The board then entered executive session to consult with counsel on a set of legal issues related to project development, board appointments, overweight permits and other matters. After returning from executive session, the board voted to remove the resolution from the table; the record does not show a final vote adopting the resolution at that meeting.
Why this matters: project sponsorship determines which public body controls routing, predevelopment, environmental clearances and funding strategy for major transportation corridors. A question about whether a county can assume sponsorship of projects already on an authority strategic plan raises legal and procedural issues that the board said required counsel review.
Board members noted the MPO had a meeting scheduled the next day and that county staff planned to seek MPO action. The RMA did not dispute the need for interagency coordination but sought clarity on legal authority and the precise nature of any county proposal before taking a final public position.
No final resolution asserting RMA primacy was approved at the meeting; staff said discussions would continue and legal counsel would advise the board.
