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OUTBOARD ORIENTATION <br /> June 5, 2025 <br /> STAFF WORK GROUP (SWG) <br /> Backgroune <br /> Governance Study Context <br /> In the early 2010s, Orange County adopted a countywide transit plan that included the Durham- <br /> Orange Light Rail Transit (DO LRT) project. In 2013, an interlocal agreement was established <br /> among Orange County, the DCHC MPO, and GoTriangle. However, after the DO LRT project was <br /> discontinued, a new governance model was needed. <br /> The following goals guided the development of the updated framework: <br /> • Establish a clear and efficient governance structure to ensure county transit tax funds are <br /> aligned with county priorities. <br /> • Promote accountability and transparency through equitable and inclusive processes to rebuild <br /> community trust. <br /> • Incorporate five guiding principles: Representation, Equity, Collaboration, Transparency, and <br /> Accessibility. <br /> In early 2022, staff from all three original ILA parties convened to evaluate governance alternatives <br /> across four key areas: <br /> • Membership <br /> • Voting Structures <br /> • Financial Planning <br /> • Program & Plan Development <br /> These discussions, continued throughout the remainder of 2022, led to the final version of the <br /> Durham and Orange Transit Governance Interlocal Agreements, adopted in early 2023. <br /> In Spring 2023, Durham and Orange counties executed new Transit Governance Interlocal <br /> Agreements (ILAs), which required both counties and regional partners to adopt a Governance <br /> framework consisting of four core components: <br /> Transit Tax Governance <br /> 1. Comprehensive Participation Agreement (CPA) <br /> The CPA formally invites local municipalities in each county to participate in the implementation of <br /> the transit plans. It also designates ex-officio members of the Staff Working Group (SWG) as <br /> Implementation Partners, who will coordinate through future project-specific agreements. While it <br /> builds upon the counties' existing ILAs, the CPA specifically outlines eligibility criteria for receiving <br /> County Transit Tax Revenue Funding, applying only to municipalities and partners (excluding state- <br /> specific provisions limited to ILA signatories). <br /> 39 <br />