County News
A seat at the table

May 16, 2008

The regional metropolitan planning map is kind of unusual – it includes all of Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Collin and Rockwall counties, but only a part of Johnson, Ellis and Kaufman counties.

So.

When planners talk about where to build roads and railroads, and how to get the money for them, only Forney and Crandall get to speak.

The rest of the county is cut out of the process.

That may change. After years of refusing to add any new territory to the planning area, the council of governments may expand it to 12 counties, adding the rest of Kaufman County.

“This is about, do you have a place in making the decision?” said Mike Sims, Terrell’s assistant city manager who is spearheading the effort. “It doesn’t guarantee you any results in the decision, but gives you the place. It gives you a voice for the whole county.”

All the county’s city councils have been asked to pass a resolution supporting the move. County commissioners passed the measure, as did Kaufman. Terrell, Crandall and Kemp will consider it. And Crandall, Kaufman and Terrell all signed a resolution from the Kaufman County Leadership Council supporting the measure.

Forney did not.

“It doesn’t play to the advantage of the city of Forney,” Forney City Manager Brian Brooks said.

Increasing the planning area does not increase the money available for projects, he pointed out, it only increases the area eligible for the money.

“The problem with expansion is there are no additional resources thrown into that bucket,” Mr. Brooks said. And added that it’s not just including the rest of Kaufman County, but the rest of Ellis and Johnson counties and all of Wise, Parker Hood and Hunt counties as well.

Crandall, however, even though it's already part of the planning area, did sign the resolution and the Crandall Economic Development Corp. has passed it's own resolution. The city also is expected to approve a resolution in support.

All 12 counties would have a say in future projects, and, hopefully, receive money.

But the counties have such small populations that they don’t bring in federal gas tax dollars.

“Are we paying gas tax dollars? You betcha,” Mr. Sims said. “They are just not counted as part of federal formula that spreads gas taxes as a whole.”

Because of that Dallas, and other counties, have opposed increasing the district. Forney is remaining neutral.

Mr. Sims, however, said that it’s only fair to add he outlying counties.

“Users don’t see a wall between Dallas County and Kaufman County at Brushy Creek. In order to manage the growth the way users use the transportation system, it’s just natural to add Kaufman County,” and the other counties.

The proposal is scheduled for a vote in June, but Kaufman County officials hope it can be postponed to gather their arguments and support.


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