The Collin County Commissioners Court approved most of the Park and Open Space Funding Assistance Program recommendations from the parks advisory board for the 2023 Bond Series 2, but placed conditions on several awards and reinstated a smaller-town request after debate over equity and local maintenance responsibilities.

Carson Underwood, chairman of the Collin County Park Advisory Commission, presented the board's recommended list, which included projects such as Frisco's Panther Creek Trail, the Vallejo Loop Trail expansion, McKinney's Rowlett Creek Trail Bridge, and Collin County's own Collin County Trail and Landscape Master Plan phase 1. The parks board had unanimously approved the recommendation.

Discussion focused on objections to funding projects for the City of Lucas because county commissioners said Lucas has the legal obligation to maintain certain streets used by county residents but has declined to do so. Commissioner Williams said he would not support additional park funding for Lucas until Lucas agreed to address road maintenance.

Commissioner Hill and others argued for support of smaller cities, recommending restoring a $70,000 request for Lowry Crossing to the award list because smaller municipalities have less bonding and taxing capacity. Several commissioners also urged a policy discussion on how to differentiate awards for larger cities versus small towns in future cycles.

Separately, commissioners placed Frisco's award on hold pending a signed, full interlocal agreement (ILA) addressing the county's animal shelter project by Jan. 31; staff clarified that the court's intent was to withhold Series 2 disbursement to Frisco until a new full ILA—not an annual renewal—was executed. Commissioners said if no agreement is reached by Jan. 31 the funds could be reallocated. Sheriff and public-safety-related security concerns for other campus projects were discussed in later items.

Judge called the final motion to approve the packet with the changes (hold Lucas and Frisco items and reinstate Lowry Crossing's $70,000), and the motion passed 4 to 1.

The court directed staff to post a follow-up item for the first meeting after Jan. 31 to determine next steps if agreements have not been finalized.