NCTCOG board votes 8-6 to remove Little as executive director

Former Ellis County Judge Todd Little is out as executive director of the North Central Texas Council of Governments. COG’s executive board of directors voted 8-6 during its Thursday, Aug. 26, meeting to discontinue the employer/employee relationship.

The 18-member board is comprised of 17 locally elected officials drawn from across COG’s 16-county area and one ex-officio non-voting member (state Rep. District 65, Mitch Little). It is unclear if three people were absent from the meeting or chose not to vote on the matter.

The vote was taken after the board went into an executive session as listed on the agenda. Upon return to open session, board director and city of Arlington Mayor Jim Ross made the motion:

“I move that the executive board approve a mutually agreed separation of Todd Little’s employment agreement and employment as executive director, effective immediately, with no finding of misconduct or cause, and further to authorize payment of severance in accordance with the executive director’s employment agreement including execution of a release of claims by Mr. Todd Little.”

During the public comment section of Thursday’s meeting, former Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley spoke again on a matter that has embroiled COG and the Regional Transportation Council for the past few months. Related litigation to the issue was settled earlier in August between the two entities.

“I really believe that this is the first step to renewing the trust and the collaboration between the two organizations that has existed for decades,” Whitley said, before alleging “low morale” at COG and saying, “Making personnel changes are and should always be difficult, but you have to do what is best for the entire organization,” and saying the directors should “make the best decision for employees and the organization.”

Whitley had previously criticized Little during the board’s April meeting.

Little was appointed as COG’s executive director in May 2025, leaving his elected position as Ellis County judge. He underwent an annual review with the board in May 2026, with several COG agendas since noting an executive session item relating to his employment.

Ellis County has one representative on the COG board at this time: Midlothian City Council member Ross Weaver, who voted against Little’s dismissal.

Written by Jo Ann Livingston/In The Know Ellis.