DART funding compromise heads to member city council votes

DART funding compromise talks moved forward last week after Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) officials approved a proposed six-year funding agreement, as reported by Progressive Railroading. If city councils approve it as well, the plan would return a portion of sales tax revenue to the agency’s 13 member cities.

How the DART funding compromise would share sales tax?

Under the proposal, DART would redirect part of the 1% sales tax revenue that currently funds the agency. Member cities would receive 5% of that revenue in year one, and the share would climb by 0.5% each year until reaching 7.5% in year six, according to a DART news release. Also, DART officials said the approach is designed to keep cities — along with their sales taxes — from withdrawing from the system.

“We are seeing positive response to this proposal from all our member cities, not just those with withdrawal elections on the ballot,” said DART President and CEO Nadine Lee.

Withdrawal ballot questions and key deadlines

The funding agreement comes as six member cities have placed questions about withdrawal from DART on their May 3 spring primary ballots. DART officials said that if residents vote to withdraw, DART services in that city would cease immediately.

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Still, the agency also said the measures can be removed from ballots if the relevant city councils approve the six-year funding agreement, with decisions on removing the items due by mid March, as reported by CBS Texas.

State priorities, governance changes, and service management transfers

DART said the proposed agreement also sets statewide funding priorities, including reworking the governance structure of DART and seeking additional non-tax-based funding. For example, the agency said management of the Trinity Railway Express and Silver Line light-rail service would be transferred to regional transportation authorities.

In addition, DART plans to hold community meetings ahead of a public hearing on March 24. The agency said it is required by law to host a public hearing in preparation for potential service changes.

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