COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY
June 25, 2019

Commissioners Court
Administration Building
Houston. Texas 77002

SUBJECT: Recommendation that Commissioners Court authorize the transfer of responsibility for current
and future Operations, Maintenance, and Capital Improvements of the Washbum Tunnel and
Ferry to the Harris County Toll Road Authority, without the Imposition of toils for use of
such facilities, effective March 1, 2020


Dear Court Members:

At the March 26, 2019 Commissioners Court meeting, the Toll Road Authority, Budget Management and the Commissioner
of Precinct 2 were asked to study and make recommendations for future capital improvements, maintenance, funding, and
operations of the Ferry and Washbum Tunnel System. Based on the ?ndings of this request, it is recommended
that Commissioners Court authorize the transfer of responsibility for current and future Operations, Maintenance, and
Capital Improvements of the Washbum Tunnel and Feny to the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA).
without the imposition of tolls for use of such facilities, effective March 1, 2020. It is further recommended that
Commissioners Court authorize HCTRA to fund and reimburse Harris County for Operations, Maintenance, and Capital
expenditures associated with the Washbum Tunnel and Ferry incurred during the current ?scal year, effective
immediately.

Chapter 284 of the Texas Transportation Code authorizes HCTRA to fund, operate. maintain, and improve transportation
facilities that are not part of Harris County's system of toll roads, such as the Washbum Tunnel and Feny.
Funding for the operations, maintenance, and capital improvements of the Washbum Tunnel and Feny will occur
in the same way and in addition to the annual transfer of mobility funds from HCTRA to Harris County for non-toll
transportation purposes. After transferring toll revenues to pay bond debt service and operation and maintenance costs of its
toll road system, HCTRA is authorized to transfer funds to the Indenture Mobility Fund that is established under HCTRA's
master bond indenture. The Indenture Mobility Fund is the source from which HCTRA makes an annual transfer for Harris
County mobility funding. Funds within the Indenture Mobility Fund may also be used to directly pay for the operations,
maintenance. and improvement costs of the Washbum Tunnel and Ferry, or funds may be transfened from the
Indenture Mobility Fund to the Harris County fund or account from which the Washbum Tunnel and Feny costs
are currently being paid.

HCTRA bond funds, however, may not be used to pay the costs of capital improvements for the Washbum Tunnel and/or
Feny. Under the terms of HCTRA's Master Bond Indenture, toll road bond funds may only be used for HCTRA's
tolled facilities.

This agenda item has been reviewed by the Harris County Attorney's of?ce. the Harris County Auditor?s of?ce, the Budget
Management Department, and HCTRA's outside legal counsel.

Sincerely, 
Gary K. Trie h, FE.

Executive Director



cc: HCTRA Management Tisha Laws
Budget Management Agenda File
County Auditor

7301 Wilshire Place Drive. Houston, TX ?040-5326
phone 713-582-7800 fax T13-462-4STZ