\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAfter months of negotiations, Plano residents may no longer vote on withdrawing from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit agency this May.<\/p>\n
Plano officials will discuss several transit-related items at a Feb. 23 meeting, including a resolution that, if approved, would cancel the city\u2019s May withdrawal election from DART.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s happening?<\/p>\n
Following a series of recent regional meetings, Plano and several other DART member cities that previously called for withdrawal elections may move to rescind them.<\/p>\n
At its Feb. 10 meeting, DART officials voted<\/a> to approve initial proposals for a new funding and governance model for the agency. On Feb. 11, Dallas City Council voted to reduce the city\u2019s voting share on the DART board to 45% and give up its majority control.<\/p>\n In the latest step, the Regional Transportation Council, a 45-member group of area transportation leaders, approved<\/a> at a Feb. 12 meeting dedicating $180 million toward regional transit agencies, including about $75 million to help fund DART\u2019s new proposed funding model.<\/p>\n Nearly half of DART\u2019s 13 member cities have scheduled withdrawal elections, including Plano, Highland Park, University Park, Irving, Farmers Branch and Addison.<\/p>\n Current situation<\/p>\n DART officials are expected to consider final approval of the funding solution and new interlocal agreement at a special Feb. 20 meeting<\/a>.<\/p>\n Plano City Council is set to consider four items related to the pending withdrawal election, including approving a new interlocal agreement<\/a> with DART and rescinding<\/a> the call for a May withdrawal election.<\/p>\n Plano Mayor John Muns said Feb. 13 that while several steps<\/a> still require approval from the state Legislature in its next session, these recent decisions represent a \u201cgood compromise\u201d for DART member cities.<\/p>\n He added that he would not require additional conditions beyond ensuring the new interlocal agreement reflects the negotiated terms.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything will still be contingent upon the ILA and agreement of that,\u201d Muns said. \u201cHopefully DART will have all their commitments ready for all of us to see, and if all goes well, then we will vote to rescind the withdrawal on the ballot.\u201d<\/p>\n Explained <\/p>\n DART\u2019s proposed funding model<\/a> would return the equivalent of 25% of sales tax collections to its 13 member cities for six years. Funding would be distributed based on sales tax contributions.<\/p>\n The funds for returning the equivalent of 25% of collected sales tax to member cities would be gathered<\/a> from three sources:<\/p>\n Guaranteed base funding from DART and the Regional Transportation CouncilTransferring the regional rail system to an independent management authorityCreating new revenue streamsDART and the Regional Transportation Council\u2019s contribution would provide a base of up to 10% sales tax return, and DART officials would work with other regional authorities to make up the rest of the 25% contribution.<\/p>\n DART\u2019s proposed governance solution would also ensure that no DART member city has a majority on the board.<\/p>\n Also on the agenda<\/p>\n Council members will also consider approving a nearly $4 million contract<\/a> with Via Transportation to provide microtransit and paratransit services within Plano.<\/p>\n