To drive a multi-disciplinary approach to city planning and encourage buildings to implement sustainable practices. Carrollton’s certification documents were drafted by members from ten separate departments, and contributed to by many others and associated subject matter experts. Moving forward, the city can continue to utilize this style of cross-collaboration, and consider options to expand policies focused on sustainable building practices. 

To assess the existing natural and built systems in order to inform City development, ensure responsible land use, allow local ecosystems and biodiversity to thrive, and guide conservation and restoration efforts. Carrollton is home to several habitats that support a diverse range of wildlife, including significant green corridors around the Trinity River, with strong urban greenspace connectivity and access to parks and trails; however, being so proximal to the DFW metroplex, light and noise pollution is very prevalent. To improve these issues, continued collaboration is needed with regional entities. 

To promote safe and walkable city streets, encourage use of public transit, reduce air quality effects from the transportation sector, and focus on planned redevelopment and historic site preservation. Carrollton exhibits a very strong foundation of transportation infrastructure, including varied modes of transport and passenger rail options, dense transit-oriented districts, and an award-winning electric and clean-operating fleet of City vehicles. The City can continue to plan ahead to accommodate future population growth and community transportation needs, increase regional connectivity, and invest in lower emitting vehicle and transit systems.   

To exhibit strong management of water resources and systems, providing equitable access to clean drinking water, adequate sanitation service, and protecting residents, ecosystems, and infrastructure from contamination. Carrollton closely monitors overall water usage and performs well in water conservation programs; however, recent high summer temperatures have driven up usage as residents use more water to irrigate yards. To improve this, the City should continue to educate the public on methods to reduce outdoor water usage and expand programs and ordinances to reduce water waste. 

To support strategic energy management efforts and improve operational efficiency in order to provide secure, reliable, resilient, and equitable access to power. Carrollton has taken various steps toward achieving this, though is limited by data availability and the structure of the Texas power grid. To date, multiple improvements have been made in municipal operations, including the use of a contracted energy broker, partial purchase of clean-sourced energy in the city’s utility provider contract, streetlighting policy updates, and a plan to perform an updated analysis of city-wide emissions.  

To effectively manage and improve City-wide waste streams through data monitoring, responsible material use and disposal, strategic purchasing choices, and public programming. Carrollton continues to provide residents with a variety of programming and waste drop-off events throughout the year, free household hazardous waste and electronic waste home pick-up service, and an online tool that assists with sorting waste items. Moving forward, waste streams can be improved City-wide through increased monitoring and data collection, further public education on waste topics, and the adoption of improved material purchasing and construction policies.  

To be the community that families and businesses want to call home, based on a foundation of elevated quality of life and standard of living for all residents, improved public health, social infrastructure, and a thriving economy. Carrollton exhibited strong performance in this category, reflecting its focus on community development and investment, high availability of public resources, and adaptive programming. The City can continue to assess the needs of the community as they change over time, working towards relevant and supportive social programs, as well as building economic resilience to future conditions. 

To encourage cities to achieve exceptional or innovative performance, beyond what is covered in the base certification criteria. Carrollton has invested heavily in the community, striving to create diversified and enhanced services, including improved emergency response capabilities, a variety of inclusive programming, and efficient utilization of taxpayer dollars through strategically managed city operations. Through the anticipation of community and municipal needs, the City can continue developing innovative and extraordinary services into the future. 

To address geographically specific socioeconomic and environmental priorities affecting the larger region around the City. Carrollton is a strong collaborator in the North Central Texas region as a paying member in multiple program areas; the City engages through hosting workshops and trainings, voting on and funding regional research, and partnering on widespread regional initiatives. Moving forward, the City can continue to be closely involved in this work, learning from and contributing to the successes of nearby cities facing similar evolving conditions as they arise.