DART’s governance was one of several issues member cities cited as concerns or reasons to cut funding.
The overview
DART board chairperson Gary Slagel, who represents Richardson and several other member cities, said several member cities thought DART needed the governance change. Currently, board members are seated based on member city population, with Slagel adding there is no reason to change. However, under this model, Slagel said Farmers Branch, Highland Park and University Park do not have a board member and thus have no voice.
Instead of adding seats, the board proposed city groups, where cities work together to select board members who will represent their grouping.
Together, each grouping will determine their approach to managing their representative with possible options include developing a rotation within the group with term timing, reselection biannually and large cities with more than one board member allowing other cities to have a representative.
Additionally, Slagel said the board approved a resolution during the Jan. 28 board meeting requiring a supermajority vote, meaning more than half, on certain matters. This would prevent Dallas board members from controlling the vote, a concern expressed by Plano and other member cities.
Some context
A majority of DART funding comes from a one-cent sales and use tax paid by its 13 member cities—six of which have called for a 25% funding decrease.
As a result, the Regional Transportation Committee charged the DART Board of Directors with working together with member cities to reach an agreement. Otherwise, state legislatures could step in to pass legislation reducing sales tax.
Slagel, along with DART board member Mark Enoch, asked City Council members to pass a resolution in favor of fully funding DART so that they could take the legislature to show the city’s support. Council member Ken Hutchenrider was the first to say he would support such a resolution and ask Mayor Bob Dubey, who set the council’s agenda, to include it in a meeting as soon as possible.
Several other council members said they would support the resolution as well.
Also of note
Several member cities asked DART to return funding; however, DART board members instead proposed they participate in economic development tax increment reinvestment zones.
DART Chief of Staff Kay Shelton said several city managers, including Richardson City Manager Don Magner, will begin meeting with DART staff to develop policies on ways DART can participate in economic development objectives. The goal is to have a recommendation in front of DART board members by May, she said.
Additionally, instead of returning money, board members decided they would expand services offered.
"[Service] is what we're here for," Slagel said.
One proposed service is more circulator systems, meaning a circular route with several destinations allows easy transit to and from popular locations.
Other proposed changes include expanding GoLink, a micro transit service DART offers that works similarly to Uber or other rideshare services.
“We have that service already,” Slagel said. “But, the expansion of that service could be very interesting so that it gives more coverage and people more opportunities to move from location to location within their city.”
Additionally, Slagel said the board will work with corporations and multi-family developments to increase ridership.
What else?
Shelton said one element important to Richardson residents and staff is the aesthetics of the Sliver Line bridge over US 75. Shelton said the bridge had to be redesigned and DART is currently working to finalize the project with city staff.
Additionally, underutilized DART right-of-way will be used for trail connections and open spaces.
