Lubbock MPO ratifies TIP, authorizes SS4A grant pursuit and postpones UPWP amendment for clearer detail

The Lubbock Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Committee met April 21 and took several administrative actions intended to align regional planning with state and federal requirements.

The committee ratified by resolution the TIP the board originally approved in January so TxDOT could accept it into the statewide STIP, a procedural step staff said was required for state acceptance. "They have received it, reviewed it, and have accepted it into their STIP," said Mr. Lucero, who asked the committee to ratify and adopt the FY27–2030 Transportation Improvement Program by resolution so the state could implement it.

Why it matters: ratifying the TIP allows projects on the MPO list to be folded into the statewide program and considered for delivery and federal funding.

After that procedural vote, the committee approved and authorized submission of the FY27–28 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) to TxDOT. Mr. Lucero summarized the public‑comment process and interagency review with FHWA and TxDOT and said staff does not expect additional changes before the August inclusion deadline.

The committee also voted to authorize staff to pursue a regional Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant in partnership with SPAG to develop uniform standard specifications and engineering details for rural, urban and hybrid contexts. "We're anticipating ... requests right about $600,000," Mr. Lucero said, and added that because the application would be regional and include in‑kind contributions the cash match requirement should be lower. He said the planning match percentage is typically about 15 percent and that in‑kind hours from boards and staff could help meet match requirements.

Members asked how the match would be generated and how a successful award would be implemented. Mr. Lucero said the MPO could use staff time, board meeting time and some non‑federal contract funds if necessary, and that the MPO would solicit a consultant by competitive procurement if awarded.

A substantive debate arose over a proposed amendment to the current 2025–26 UPWP that would remove several Task 5 activities no longer aligned with federal eligibility or regional priorities and redirect funds to standard operating procedures and audit follow‑ups. After an initial vote to adopt the amendment passed 6–1, a member moved to reconsider that vote. The reconsideration motion passed and raised concerns about the amendment's lack of specificity.

Commissioner Dolby (who moved the reconsideration) said the amendment language and backup were too general and asked for explicit project listings. In response, staff displayed a slide identifying specific work products that would be removed or shifted: the PS&E Alcove study, the FM 179 corridor study (now moving forward under TxDOT letting), and a freight study that no longer met federal guidance; staff also identified positive net additions including a $25,000 regional travel forecast (phase 2) and $14,500 allocated to MPOSOP development (adding $9,000 to an existing amount). Following that exchange, the chair moved to postpone consideration of the UPWP amendment to the committee's next meeting on May 19, 2026, to allow staff to revise the resolution and include the requested table of specific studies.

In other business, staff reported budget figures through February showing about 60 percent of revenue realized and roughly 20 percent of expenditures incurred, leaving carryover for the remainder of the fiscal year; staff said hiring timing and unspent contract work explain the variance. The committee also heard an item noting two congressional surface‑transportation bills under consideration (referred to in discussion as the BASIC act) and a short‑window defense‑related grant opportunity relevant to US‑84/Loop 88. A TxDOT representative announced his retirement effective May 17 and committee members thanked him for his service.

Votes at a glance - Approval of Feb. 17, 2026 minutes: motion carried (no tally in transcript). - Resolution ratifying the FY27–2030 TIP: motion carried (no tally recorded). - Adopt amendment to 2025–26 UPWP (initial vote): passed 6–1; Mr. Atkinson recorded as voting nay; later reconsideration and postponement moved the amendment back to the table for May 19. - Approve and adopt FY27–28 UPWP for submission to TxDOT: motion carried (no tally recorded). - Authorize staff to pursue SS4A grant application: motion carried (no tally recorded).

Next steps: staff will prepare a revised UPWP amendment resolution that includes the table of removed and added studies for committee consideration on May 19, 2026, and will proceed with SS4A application work if timelines permit.

Attributions: Quotes and factual statements in this story are drawn from remarks made aloud in the April 21 meeting by Mr. Lucero (staff), Commissioner Dolby (member who moved reconsideration), the chair (Judge Curtis Parrish) and other participants as recorded in the meeting transcript.

Sources: Lubbock MPO Transportation Policy Committee meeting transcript, April 21, 2026.