Addison council approves resolution urging DART to give member cities individual representation

The Addison City Council voted to adopt a resolution stating the town’s support for changes to Dallas Area Rapid Transit governance that would allow each member city, including Addison, to have a board representative with a weighted vote.

The resolution, approved during the council’s Aug. 26 meeting, asks that future governance discussions include a seat specifically representing Addison. The resolution does not prescribe a particular weighting formula; the council said any change would require action by the Texas Legislature.

Why it matters: Addison shares its current DART seat with Richardson, University Park and Highland Park. Council members said having a single representative focused on Addison would give the town a clearer voice in decisions that affect transit service and development, including the Silver Line project.

City Manager David Gaines, who represented Addison in regional conversations about DART governance, said the resolution is meant to record Addison’s priorities as discussions advance: “we believe we should have a person,” he said, adding that the town expects future talks to consider how votes are weighted among cities. Gaines told the council that some cities and mayors have already been discussing governance options and that the resolution matches language other cities are preparing.

Council discussion emphasized two follow-up points: (1) the method for assigning vote weight remains unsettled — several council members said they prefer a formula tied to sales tax contributions rather than population because DART’s revenues are sales-tax driven — and (2) the resolution is intended as a first step to bring Addison’s position forward as regional and legislative conversations continue.

Council members who spoke in favor called the measure “40 years overdue” and said even a small weighted vote would let Addison speak independently of the other municipalities that currently share its seat. No amendments to the resolution were proposed during the meeting.

What’s next: The resolution records Addison’s stance for use in ongoing intercity discussions and future legislative proposals. Because governance changes to DART would require state-level action, council members acknowledged the resolution itself does not change DART rules or board composition.

The council approved the resolution by voice vote; the meeting minutes record the item as adopted.