Regional Transportation Council, North Central Texas Council of Governments Approve Settlement in Governance Dispute

PRESS RELEASE Contact: Brian Wilson
 (817) 704-2511
 bwilson@nctcog.org

Aug. 13, 2026 (Arlington, Texas) – The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approved a settlement agreement Thursday resolving litigation involving the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) over a governance dispute, clearing the way for both entities to focus on their respective planning responsibilities as the region continues to grow. 

In addition to the settlement of County of Denton, Texas v. Victoria Johnson, In Her Official Capacity, et al., the RTC voted to approve a new operating agreement with NCTCOG and a three-party Metropolitan Planning Organization Agreement (involving the RTC, NCTCOG and the Texas Department of Transportation), as well as a letter signed by members of the RTC and Executive Board requesting Gov. Greg Abbott’s support of the new TxDOT agreement. At a special-called meeting last week, the NCTCOG Executive Board approved the settlement agreement. The proposed agreement would clarify the roles of the entities by identifying the RTC as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the 12-county Dallas-Fort Worth area and NCTCOG as fiscal agent.

 “Today’s decision and the vote by the North Central Texas Council of Governments Executive Board are important acknowledgments that we are stronger together,” said Mason, who serves as Cedar Hill mayor in addition to chair of the RTC. “The new Metropolitan Planning Organization Agreement brings clarity to the roles and responsibilities of two entities that for more than 50 years have been focused on working harmoniously with their partners across the region, state and nation to prepare for growth. We look forward to a future where we can pursue our shared vision of making North Texas a premier region.”  

 The Metropolitan Planning Organization Agreement will now be sent to TxDOT. Once signed by all three parties, the agreement goes into effect.

About the Regional Transportation Council:  

 The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) of the North Central Texas Council of Governments has served as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) policymaking body for regional transportation planning in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 1974. The MPO works in cooperation with the region’s transportation providers to address the complex transportation needs of the rapidly growing metropolitan area. The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area includes Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant and Wise counties. The RTC’s 45 members include local elected or appointed officials from the metropolitan area and representatives from each of the area’s transportation providers. More information can be found at NCTCOG.org.  

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