What it means<\/p>\n
With the four cities considering a special election, approximately $242.4 million in annual sales tax contributions to DART could be impacted, which represents about 29% of the $834.4 million in total contributions<\/a> available to DART.<\/p>\n DART CEO and President Nadine Lee said Oct. 29 that all services in Plano would stop the day after the election if voters approved the withdrawal and that the entire DART system would be impacted.<\/p>\n \u201cMany riders travel, for example, from Dallas to Plano for work,\u201d she said. \u201cIt’s not just residents of Plano who would be affected.\u201d<\/p>\n Additionally, as DART member cities continue to pay off the agency\u2019s debt, Plano would still be responsible for contributing financially to DART for 7-10 years once leaving, Mayor John Muns said.<\/p>\n However, rather than fully breaking ties with the agency, Plano may choose to become a customer city of DART, paying for select services.<\/p>\n Director of Government Relations Andrew Fortune said alternative transit options are still a \u201cblank canvas\u201d that could include Collin County transit partnerships, similar to the Denton County Transportation Authority.<\/p>\n \u201cOur residents go north just as much as they go south these days,\u201d Fortune said. \u201cWe\u2019re now reaching this window that staff felt it important that this conversation is something … to seek direction [on].\u201d<\/p>\n By the numbers<\/p>\n Plano officials also point to a 2023 Ernst and Young Infrastructure Advisors study<\/a> showing a \u201cclear disparity in spending\u201d as one reason for calling the special meeting.<\/p>\n The report<\/a> found Plano contributed about $109.6 million in sales tax and saw $44.6 million in expenses within the city in FY 2023.<\/p>\n Fortune said Plano officials understand public transit is not a \u201cdollar in, dollar out\u201d system, but the disparities presented in the study were too significant.<\/p>\n The study<\/a> notes its findings represent a \u201csnapshot in time,\u201d specifically as it was completed prior to the Silver Line<\/a> launch and DART\u2019s upcoming<\/a> light rail fleet rollout.<\/p>\n How we got here<\/p>\n Fortune said another reason for calling the special election is that Plano officials have \u201crepeatedly\u201d tried negotiating to receive more Plano-specific DART services, submitting four reform plans for the DART system dating back to last December.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have asked previously numerous times for an \u2018a la carte\u2019 model from DART,\u201d Fortune said.<\/p>\n During the 89th legislative session, Plano officials supported Texas House Bill 3187, which died in the House, but would have created a permanent general mobility program that redirected 25% of DART\u2019s sales tax revenues back to its member cities.<\/p>\n DART approved a general mobility plan that would redistribute 5% of the agency’s collected sales tax to member cities as part of its most recent budget.<\/p>\n Plano\u2019s DART board of directors representative Anthony Ricciardelli also asked board members to consider budget amendments asking DART to fully fund a new bus route that runs between the Parker Road DART Station and northwest Plano, and making DART\u2019s on-demand vehicle service, GoLink, one continuous, city-wide zone.<\/p>\n Both motions were denied, but the route was approved and is half funded by DART. Plano\u2019s GoLink zones were expanded but the service did not become single-zone.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been continuing talking for six and a half years … with no result,\u201d Mayor Pro Tem Maria Tu said. \u201cWe need something that actually addresses our needs to connect [Plano and Collin County] … Why can’t we do Collin County Area Rapid Transit?”<\/p>\n Lee said the agency has worked in good faith to address Plano\u2019s concerns and invited city officials to work to find a solution instead of an election.<\/p>\n Lee noted expanded GoLink zones, the approved Legacy Circulator route and decreased crime numbers on DART.<\/p>\n DART Board Chairman Randall Bryant said he hopes the agency can continue working with Plano.<\/p>\n “I think it’s a continued approach by this city and those that have stood along with this city to push hard one way and hope that something beneficial happens for them,” he said. “Hopefully something will change … we’ve voted to give this city in particular a lot of things that they’ve specifically requested. I hope to continue to implement the things we committed to and hope they find value in it too.”<\/p>\n What happened<\/p>\n More than 100 individuals registered to speak at the Nov. 5 meeting, with the majority speaking against Plano withdrawing from the DART system. A handful of speakers spoke in favor of the split, citing crime and safety concerns.<\/p>\n Several speakers mentioned concerns about commuting to work from other cities, accessibility for disabled riders and a lack of stability with microtransit alternatives.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a constituent of Plano, hearing that my town\u2019s leadership is considering withdrawing from the DART system makes me feel disappointed,\u201d Plano resident Sarah Hernandez said. \u201cMy husband and I don\u2019t see ourselves setting our roots down in Plano if it\u2019s not serviceable by DART.\u201d<\/p>\n Plano Planning and Zoning Commissioner Michael Brounoff said officials should postpone a decision and call in a professional mediator to work out a negotiation with DART.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore you invoke the nuclear option and call an election, … [Plano officials should] dial down the rhetoric, de-escalate and postpone a decision on calling an election,\u201d Brounoff said.<\/p>\n Looking ahead<\/p>\n Plano residents will decide on Plano\u2019s future in DART in a May 2026 election.<\/p>\n Fortune said Plano officials plan to implement an alternative transit plan prior to the May 2026 election that could either replace or supplement existing DART options.<\/p>\n Additionally, Fortune said Plano officials have set aside $4 million as an initial investment into alternative transit options.<\/p>\n He added that citizens can only be approached once every six years to reconsider their city\u2019s participation in DART, which prompted the need to call the election. Fortune said officials have until 45 days prior to the May 2 election to continue negotiations with DART.<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t something we can put off until next year,\u201d Fortune said. \u201c[This] simply puts the ball in DART\u2019s court.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"chart](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762403616_517_thumbnail.jpeg\")
Lee said Oct. 29 it\u2019s \u201cchallenging to say that the study was entirely accurate\u201d as the study confirmed DART\u2019s internal analysis on operating funds but differed on capital allocations due to methodology and excluded costs.<\/p>\n