Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Regional Transit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council members urge transparent RTC succession process after longtime director’s change in status
Summary
Council members raised concerns about the North Texas Council of Governments/RTC succession approach for regional transportation director Michael Morris, urging that RTC be involved in any search or that RTC representatives participate in the process to protect regional transit planning, especially ahead of FIFA and other regional projects.
Several council members used committee reports to flag concerns about succession planning at the North Texas Council of Governments and the Regional Transportation Council (RTC).
Council members said communications from regional leaders and stakeholders raised alarm after staff discussed a succession plan for long‑time RTC director Michael Morris and the possibility of moving him to a consultant role. One council speaker warned the move could "peel any authority as a director of RTC away from him" and urged that RTC be included in any selection process for a new transportation director.
"I think it would be prudent for the COG executive board to include as much as reasonably possible RTC's involvement with the search committee," one council member said, arguing that regional leaders and mayors have legitimate concerns about process and continuity ahead of large regional projects such as FIFA and potential high‑speed rail planning.
Council member Hogg and others said they would raise the issue with the executive board and monitor the RTC process; staff indicated pieces of a succession plan will return for additional review at the next RTC/COG meetings.
