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Flower Mound transportation panel approves sidewalk-link projects, asks staff to seek higher budget
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Summary
The Transportation Commission approved a package of sidewalk-link projects drawn from a new prioritization matrix, using roughly $450,000 in project savings and recommending staff request an additional $150,000 for FY26-27. Commissioners debated whether to spend on one large $500,000 project or spread funds across residential gaps.
The Town of Flower Mound Transportation Commission voted April 14 to approve a set of sidewalk-link projects drawn from a newly scored list of gap locations and asked staff to pursue a larger annual funding request to town council.
Assistant Director of Public Works Manny Palacios told the commission staff had identified more than 173 sidewalk gaps and had roughly $450,000 in project savings available from closed projects. "We have $450,000 in project savings," Palacios said, and with a requested $150,000 for the next fiscal year the town would have about $600,000 to allocate.
The funding and project-selection debate centered on tradeoffs between completing one major, costly gap and addressing multiple smaller residential gaps. Palacios described the top-ranked gap on Long Prairie Road (FM 2499) as a major undertaking that would likely require a new pedestrian bridge and therefore carry a high price tag; he estimated similar TxDOT-standard projects at about $500,000. Commission member Bjorn moved to approve projects numbered 2, 3, 8 and 22 from the ranked list (the body clarified the motion as Option 2 with project 10 removed). The motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous recorded vote.
Commissioners asked staff to develop two budget scenarios for council consideration: a base plan that uses the long-standing $150,000 annual allocation plus the $450,000 in savings, and an expanded plan that would include a request to raise the annual allocation to $250,000 to account for inflation and higher construction costs. "If we get more money, would you do more projects in one year?" one commissioner asked; Palacios replied he would. Several commissioners said they preferred having a paired plan so the commission could act effectively whether or not council approves additional funds.
The commission's action clears the chosen sidewalk projects to move forward in staff planning and recommends the commission's request that council consider increasing the sidewalk-links annual allocation from $150,000 to $250,000. The motion passed with aye votes recorded from Commissioner Barrios, Commissioner Davidson, Commissioner Landry, Vice Chair Clark, Commissioner Hughes and Commissioner Van Duque.
What happens next: staff will finalize cost details and, per the commission's direction, prepare a budget request package (base and expanded scenarios) for town council consideration. The commission also asked staff to produce more detailed ballpark cost estimates for high-cost projects and to flag any projects that might be better handled as capital investments carried over multiple years.
Details: The commission heard staff estimate typical sidewalk project costs, obstacles that raise prices (trees, shallow utilities, retaining walls) and that staff currently uses internal engineering to limit design costs. Palacios said staff can provide ballpark figures for projects that score highly on the prioritization matrix and will return with more precise recommendations and options for funding and phasing.
