DART Election

 Current Situation

Addison has been a member city of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) since its creation in 1983.  The Town contributes a one-cent sales and use tax to DART.

From 1984 to 2025, Addison’s contribution totals over $400.5 million. 

In Fiscal Year 2025, Addison contributed $17.6 million to DART.

Under Texas law, a city may only withdraw from DART through a majority vote by residents at a local election. A city council cannot make that decision on its own. State statute also limits how often this type of election may occur to once every six years. 2026 is a designated year for the next election opportunity.

Three cities (Addison, Highland Park, and University Park) are currently planning to have DART withdrawal elections in May.

This presentation from the December 2, 2025 City Council meeting details DART Services in Addison, sales tax in Addison, and the withdrawal election Process.

DART Background in Addison

Addison Bus Service:

• Served by 12 bus routes
  • 11 40-60 Min Frequency
  • 1 15-20 Min Frequency
• 70 bus stops
• 1 Transit Center

Silver Line Commuter Rail

• 30 Min Peak
• 60 Min Non-Peak

Paratransit

Sales Tax in Addison 

In Addison, the total sales tax rate is 8.25 percent. Of that amount, 6.25 percent goes to the State of Texas, 1% comes directly to Addison, and 1% is a local option available to all municipalities. Addison residents chose to dedicate that 1% to DART in 1983. 

If Addison were to withdraw from DART, the 1% local option could be repurposed through voter approval in an election for another eligible use allowed under Texas law. 

Examples of eligible uses include a public safety district, property tax relief, and economic and community development.  (A detailed guide of local option sales tax can be found on the State Comptrollers website.)

Based on Texas Comptroller data for cities in DFW counties, 111 of 121 cities have adopted the full local sales tax option, resulting in an 8.25% total rate.  (Source https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/sales/city.php) 

A year-by-year record of Addison's sales tax contributions to DART is available beginning in FY2003, with annual contributions growing steadily over the decades. Key figures include: 

• FY2003: ~$9.0 million
• FY2010: ~$9.6 million
• FY2015: ~$12.2 million
• FY2020: ~$14.3 million
• FY2025: ~$17.6 million

From 1984 to 2025, Addison has contributed over $400.5 million to DART in total. In FY2025 alone, Addison contributed $17.6 million. 

During its February 10 Work Session, the City Council discussed Addison’s current transit landscape and reviewed potential mobility options as part of ongoing considerations related to the May 2026 special election on DART membership.

The City Council provided feedback on the core criteria that will guide a Request for Proposal (RFP) for mobility services that could be implemented if residents vote to exit DART. These criteria include maintaining paratransit service, providing reliable local circulation within Addison, establishing efficient connections to nearby transit hubs, defining wait times and hours of operation, and ensuring services are accessible, including through mobile applications and phone-based options.

Following the discussion, Council directed staff to move forward with issuing the RFP.  An agreement for mobility services contingent on the outcome of the vote is anticipated to be considered at the March 24 City Council meeting.

Silver Line Project (2017–2025)

Following conversations with DART and other member cities, the Addison City Council has decided to call an election in May to determine the best path forward for our community.

Per State law (Chapter 452-Subchapter Q of the Texas Transportation Code), a Member City has the right to withdraw from DART, but only once every six years.

2026 is an eligible “out” year for DART member cities.

The calculation is found in Chapter 452 of the Texas Transportation Code.  DART projected this calculation for each city in 2024 with Addison’s repayment estimated to be 3 years.

The city’s sales tax is committed to DART until the amount owed is satisfied.

Once the outstanding obligation is paid, the city can take the full one cent to a vote of the citizens for any use allowable by law (streets, economic development, property tax relief, public safety, etc.).

Should a withdrawal election be successful, the Town is prepared to have alternate transit solutions in place.

Town staff has issued an RFP for transit alternatives that include paratransit. The City Council plans to consider a contract for services at its March 24 meeting.

Discussions on mobility options and service scope will begin at the February 10 meeting and continue throughout February and March. By March 24, the Council is anticipated to consider entering into an agreement for mobility services, contingent on the outcome of the vote.