MPO director flags declining state transportation funding and urges outreach to state officials

MPO Director Maeda used his report to summarize takeaways from a recent MPO-association meeting and a presentation by Clay Barnett that showed inflation-adjusted declines in the Texas Unified Transportation Program (UTP) funding levels since about 2017 even as Texas's population has grown.

"We need to be out there talking to, you know, our state elected officials," Maeda said, urging board members to raise the funding concern with state decision-makers in Austin. He said the UTP charts showed a downward trend in funding through 2026 and 2027 while a population red line showed steady increases.

Maeda said the association is continuing research on topics such as attendance, alternates, proxies and virtual participation for MPO boards and that the MPO should expect to revisit bylaws and best practices after the association's final report.

Board members did not request further action in the public session other than to have staff follow up as the association report becomes available.