The cities of Carrollton and Farmer’s Branch have drafted a document, stating that their portion of sales tax responsibility for DART needs to be lessened. Plano, Irving, and Rowlett, have expressed the same beliefs.
DART has stated that lessening the funds from them by 25% would result in a major problem.
Fox 4 News has reported that Mayor Terry Lynne spoke on the matter on Tuesday. “They need to look at how they manage themselves because they are using our money,” the mayor said.
The views on the matter are crucial. This is due to the fact that a vote will still occur from the DART board or legislature on whether to lessen the sales tax. However, it does offer opinions on the issue.
The DART board is currently hearing the opinions. It is reported that Dallas has eight members, and the neighboring cities have seven members.
There is one main concern for State Representative Matt Shaheen of Plano. This is whether people in cities such as theirs are using DART enough to back up the high financial responsibility that they have.
Not only him, but Richard Jackson, a Farmer’s Branch City councilman, agreed with Shaheen. He also made some comments that some are saying were “offensive.”
Jackson said that for decades, no one has been able to successfully manage the parking lot areas. He added that many citizens are paying for expensive townhomes. However, chain-linked fences are all that is in the middle of them and “all the trash that comes up here on their trains.”
But, DART says the consequences of lessening the funds would result in riders waiting outside at least 30 minutes for any of their services. This is because DART would not be able to employ the staff that they need.
A DART representative did note, though, that they do need to enhance their services. This would include making changes to reliability, cleanliness, and safety.
There are a million new people moving to the DFW metroplex every year. This causes major traffic concerns. So, DART believes that public transportation is one way to solve the problem.
Other city councilmen of Dallas believe that the city’s sales tax should be lessened to assist in paying for the Dallas Police and Fire Pension fund.
