City Council Meeting Date: August 18, 2026
Date: August 6, 2026
To: Erin Rinehart, City Manager
From: Jonathan Wheat, P.E., Director of Engineering
Shannon Hicks, P.E., Assistant City Manager
Title
Consider A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Negotiate and Execute An Interlocal Cooperative Agreement (ICA) With The North Central Texas Council Of Governments (NCTCOG) To Provide Local Match Funding For The Design and Construction Of The Cotton Belt Shared Use Trail.
Body
Summary:
The purpose of this item is to authorize local match funding for the design and construction of a shared use trail parallel to the DART Silver Line and a connection into McInnish Park in a maximum amount of $832,202.
Background:
NCTCOG has been coordinating with DART to construct the Cotton Belt Trail along the entire length of the Silver Line. Phase 3A of the DART Cotton Belt Trail extends from Downtown Carrollton to the south edge of McInnish Park. Funding for this section of trail in the amount of $22,000,000 is currently programed for design and construction, with a local match requirement of $351,446. DART will coordinate the design and construction of the trail and the only requirement from Carrollton is local match funding. Subsequent to the initial planning for this project, NCTCOG has identified additional funding in the corridor that was initially earmarked for a segment of trail in the City of Grapevine in the amount of $1,923,024. The project in Grapevine cannot be completed in the timeframe of this funding availability, so NCTCOG has identified another section of trail that can be completed, and has reappropriated this funding to connect the Cotton Belt Trail into McInnish Park. In order to utilize this funding, an additional local match of $480,756 is required from the City of Carrollton. Thus, a total local match for both of the trail projects is $832,202.
Financial Implications:
NCTCOG has received funding for design and construction of the Cotton Belt Trail from Downtown Carrollton into McInnish Park in an amount of $23,923,024. The local match for this project is $832,202. Funds for the local match are available from the Parks Consolidated fund.
Impact on Community Sustainability:
This project will support the City Council’s strategic objectives and vision of building a community that families and businesses want to call home by:
• Expanding access to the regional trail network and increasing safe, connected mobility options for pedestrians and cyclists. (Hospitality, Accessible, Healthy)
• Creating a key recreation asset along the DART Silver Line corridor and improving opportunities for outdoor activity and wellness. (Healthy, Thriving)
• Supporting long term infrastructure investment through partnership with DART and NCTCOG, maximizing funding and demonstrating responsible stewardship of City resources. (Economical)
• Strengthening community connectivity and encouraging greater public engagement with parks and trails. (Engaging)
Staff Recommendation/Action Desired:
Staff recommends adopting a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an ICA with NCTCOG for funding the local match for the design and construction of the Cotton Belt shared use trail along the DART Silver Line.