DART approves funding compromise with 13 member cities

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) officials last week approved a six-year funding agreement that, if also approved by DART's 13 member cities' councils, would return a portion of sales tax revenue to the cities.

The proposed agreement is designed to keep member cities — along with their sales taxes — from withdrawing from the agency's system. It also establishes state-level funding priorities for the agency, DART officials said in a press release.

Under the agreement, DART would send part of its 1% sales tax revenue that currently funds the agency to member cities. In year one, the cities would receive 5% of the revenue. That would increase 0.5% annually to 7.5% in year six. 

"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.

Statewide priorities include reworking the governance structure of DART and finding additional non-tax-based funding, DART officials said. For example, management of the Trinity Railway Express and Silver Line light-rail service would be transferred to regional transportation authorities.

Six member cities have placed questions about withdrawal from DART on their May 3 spring primary ballots. If a city's citizens vote to withdraw, DART services in the city would cease immediately, DART officials said. However, if those city councils opt to approve DART's funding agreement, the measure can be removed from ballots. The decision to remove the item from the ballot must be made by mid March, DART officials added.

DART will host community meetings leading up to a public hearing on March 24. DART is required by law to host a public hearing in preparation for potential services changes.