Dallas Proposes Giving Up DART Board Majority to Avoid Suburb Withdrawal

The move aims to appease suburbs planning votes to leave the North Texas transit alliance.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The Dallas City Council is set to vote on a proposal to give up its longstanding majority control of the DART board of directors. This comes as several suburban cities, including Plano, Irving, and Farmers Branch, are planning elections to potentially withdraw from the DART transit alliance. The Dallas resolution would ensure every member city has at least one seat on the DART board, while Dallas would maintain at least 45% of the voting power.

Why it matters

The potential withdrawal of suburban cities from DART would be a major blow to the regional transit agency, which relies on member city sales tax revenue to fund operations. Dallas is the largest DART member, contributing the most sales tax dollars and representing over half the service area's population, so its governance changes are crucial to keeping the alliance intact.

The details

The Dallas proposal would concede the city's majority control over the 15-member DART board, on which it currently holds 7 full seats and 1 partial seat. The resolution supports ensuring every member city has at least one seat, and Dallas would maintain at least 7 seats and 45% of the voting power on an expanded board.

  • The Dallas City Council is set to vote on the proposal on Wednesday, February 8, 2026.
  • Ballot language for the May 2026 elections in the suburbs is set to be finalized as soon as February 23, 2026.

The players

Dallas City Council

The governing body of the city of Dallas, which is proposing to give up its majority control of the DART board.

DART

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit agency, the largest transit alliance in North Texas that is facing potential withdrawal of suburban member cities.

Plano

A Dallas suburb that has largely led the charge on leaving DART and is planning a vote on withdrawal in May 2026.

Irving

A Dallas suburb that has called for a withdrawal election from DART in May 2026.

Farmers Branch

A Dallas suburb that has called for a withdrawal election from DART in May 2026.

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What they’re saying

“There's a reason that DART starts with a D. It is poor governance for the city to voluntarily give up its majority control of the agency.”

— Cara Mendelsohn, Dallas City Council member (wfaa.com)

“Nobody wants to lose and dilute their vote. [But] this, I believe, shows a good path forward of a good faith effort working with the other cities.”

— Jesse Moreno, Dallas Mayor Pro Tem (wfaa.com)

What’s next

Plano's City Council is set to consider a contract with Via as an "alternate transit service" on Monday, February 10, 2026, should voters decide to leave DART in the May 2026 election.

The takeaway

Dallas' proposal to give up its majority control of the DART board is a significant concession aimed at keeping the regional transit alliance intact, as several suburban cities threaten to withdraw and take their sales tax revenue with them. The outcome could have major implications for the future of public transportation in North Texas.