In a nutshell
During a March 25 meeting, DART’s board of directors voted 11-3 on a resolution signaling the agency’s commitment to resolving member city’s issues at the local level. The action comes after two bills were filed in the Texas 2025 legislative session that aim to moderate sales tax collections by the transit agency.
The resolution states DART will establish a general mobility program funded by 5% of its annual sales tax collections. Those funds will be available for use by some member cities as an equity adjustment to support local mobility needs, according to the resolution.
DART staff will design policy guidelines and a plan for the program to be considered by the board at a later date. The program is expected to launch in fiscal year 2025-26, according to the resolution.
The details
The program will be established for a two-year term. DART’s board will consider modifications and renewal of the program after the initial term.
The allocation available in FY2025-26 will be 5% of the actual sales tax collections from fiscal year 2023-24 which is estimated at $42.59 million. Those funds would be made available to seven cities:
- Addison
- Carrollton
- Farmer’s Branch
- Highland Park
- Plano
- Richardson
- University Branch
The report’s allocation findings represent a “snapshot in time” and do not reflect anticipated costs associated with completing projects like DART’s Silver Line, according to the report. Capital and operational costs to member cities serviced by the Silver Line are expected to increase in FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26.
Also of note
DART will enter interlocal agreements with each eligible member city for the program. Staff is being directed to develop a proposal for reallocating some of the FY 2025-26 budget to fund the program
Any unallocated funds from the program in FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 will be transferred to DART’s mobility assistance and innovation fund.
What they’re saying
Board member Mark Enoch, who represents the cities of Garland, Glenn Heights and Rowlett, said the transit agency was trying to find a compromise with the cities calling for reduced funding.
Plano is among six member cities that have called for reductions in its sales and use tax contribution to DART by a quarter-cent. One of those cities, Rowlett, has since rescinded its resolution in support of reduced funding and currently supports fully funding DART.
“We’re trying to find a compromise and that’s what we think this resolution does,” Enoch said.
On the other side
Board member Anthony Ricciardelli, who sits on Plano City Council, said he would not vote for the resolution because it does not completely address the issues that some member cities have raised.
“I think we need a structural fix that has the permanence of state legislation to it, along with services tailored to each city’s actual needs at a level of investment commensurate to the services received,” he said. “For those reasons I will have to vote no on this resolution though I appreciate the attempt.”
