Rural Planning Organizations

Local Government Services (LGS) works to monitor discussions in Austin that may have a significant effect on the cities and counties of the Texas Panhandle. In 2009 one of the issues related to transportation began to warrant close monitoring by PRPC staff. In 2009, the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) was subject to Sunset Review. As part of that sunset review, TXDOT was encouraged to begin "moving many decisions from Austin to regions". One of the concepts floated by TXDOT and the 81st Texas Legislature was the possible creation of Rural Planning Organizations (RPO) that would mirror their urban counterparts, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO).

In the Panhandle we are familiar with the Amarillo MPO that conducts four and ten year project planning activities and ultimately makes determinations relating to the specific project types and locations for TXDOT funded projects in the MPO area. RPOs would have similar authority in determining how TXDOT funds would be utilized within a region. PRPC staff feels that increasing local representation in the regional decision making process regarding TXDOT expenditures on highways and bridges would be of great benefit to the region.

In the 81st Texas Legislature, House Bill 2589 and Senate Bill 1417 included language that would enable the creation of RPOs along Council of Government (COG) boundaries. These bills were retracted while in committee. However, TXDOT continues to support the concept of RPOs as a way to give decision making authority to local representatives in rural areas on projects in the region as opposed to continuing to make those decisions in Austin.

In July, TXDOT solicited public comment relating to these potential changes and it appears that conversation relating to RPOs continues to gain momentum. PRPC provided comment to TXDOT supporting the concept of RPOs citing an interest in increased local representation in the decision making process. Additionally, the PRPC Board of Directors passed resolution 09-08-19-01 supporting the RPO concept and stating that if RPOs become recognized in the State of Texas that PRPC would pursue the establishment of a Panhandle RPO.

LGS staff continues to monitor the RPO discussion in the State of Texas and will transmit information related to the subject to cities and counties as material developments occur.

• Regional Transportation Planning

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• Rural Transportation Assistance Program

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• Rural Planning Organizations

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• Contact