The context
DCTA provides transportation throughout Denton County via rail and bus routes, rides for senior citizens and GoZone, its on-demand ridesharing service, per the organization’s website.
The city of Highland Village voted to join the organization and levy a half-cent sales tax to finance the system in 2003, according to DCTA’s website. It costs the city nearly $2 million annually to receive services from DCTA, council member Shawn Nelson said.
As the city approaches build-out, there is little new revenue coming in and the city had to pull money from its fund balance to avoid a budget shortfall in fiscal year 2025-26, per previous reporting. Council member Rhonda Hurst said the city will have to make difficult financial decisions moving forward.
“Somehow we have got to maintain our level of service and not keep raising property taxes because we have no other money to make,” Hurst said.
What they’re saying
Council member Kevin Cox said he thinks the best way to move forward is to ask the DCTA board for a rate adjustment.
“I think there’s room for negotiation with DCTA in regards to what we pay in [and] what we get back,” Cox said.
Mayor Charlotte Wilcox said she does not support removing DCTA’s services from the city.
“We have residents in our city who actually utilize that service, and I think that we would be hurting those people [by leaving DCTA],” Wilcox said.
Council member Shawn Nelson said he wants to “follow in the footsteps” of DART member cities who are voting to withdraw.
“At this point, I don’t see any benefit with regards to DCTA as it pertains to Highland Village,” he said.
Hurst shared a similar opinion saying Highland Village voters deserved a chance to share their opinion on the transportation service.
“It provides a service, but we aren’t getting the financial benefit that everybody else has,” Hurst said.
Looking ahead
Council reached a consensus to remain in DCTA and ask for improved services in January for the citizens of Highland Village.
“We’ve got some guidance now, and we’re unified,” Wilcox said.
Hurst also recommended writing clear expectations for the city’s DCTA board representative, including regular updates to council.
