The Plano City Council unanimously canceled a planned May withdrawal election and approved a revised funding and governance agreement with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system. The move kicked off a series of votes across the Dallas-Fort Worth region, keeping local cities in the regional transit network after months of debate over how sales tax dollars are shared and how the transit board is structured.
Plano was one of several DART member cities that had scheduled elections this spring to decide whether to leave the regional transit system. These municipalities criticized the level of service they receive relative to the sales tax contributions they make, and many leaders questioned whether smaller cities have sufficient influence in DART’s decision-making process. At one point, six cities had approved ballot measures for May votes on withdrawal.
Under the new agreement, DART will return a portion of sales tax revenue back to its member cities over the next six years as part of a broader effort to address long-standing complaints about funding equity. Combined with a contribution from the Regional Transportation Committee (RTC), the amounts total more than $434 million over that period. Of that total, DART’s contribution accounts for about $360 million, with roughly $75 million coming from the RTC.
The framework is designed to provide member cities with the equivalent of 25% of the sales tax revenue they contribute to DART, distributed in phases through 2031. That phased return is structured so that the share cities receive increases over time as the agreement progresses.
Under these terms, Plano is expected to receive about $61 million over the next six years, while Richardson stands to get around $26 million. Other cities in the system will receive funds proportional to their contributions under the same timeline.
Revisions to DART’s governance structure are also part of the plan. The proposal calls for each city to have representation on the transit board and would reduce the current weighted voting share held by the city of Dallas. The agreement would increase the board from 15 to 22 members, giving smaller cities a greater voice. By approving the funding agreement, Plano’s council also repealed earlier ordinances that had sought to limit DART’s tax authority and endorsed the updated governance framework.
Other member cities are responding differently. Farmers Branch’s council voted to withdraw its planned exit election and remain in the system under the new terms, while Addison’s council will let voters decide in the May election whether to leave DART. Other member cities debating a future with DART include University Park, Irving and Highland Park. Irving has also officially cancelled its withdrawal election.
Some public speakers raised concerns the deal lacks transparency and may not fully resolve issues for passengers. Local leaders who supported the agreement described it as a constructive step toward stabilizing regional transit and preserving connectivity for residents and workers across North Texas. Other DART member cities are expected to vote on the agreement in the coming weeks.
Photo by Jason Lawrence from New York, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, from Wikimedia Commons
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