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Council to treat DART board-composition measure as standalone item after mayor and members press for separate vote
Summary
Irving leaders discussed supporting legislation (Senate Bill 2118) to change Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) board composition so each city has direct representation. Councilmembers asked to pull the item from the consent agenda for a separate vote and to give residents a clear record of the city’s position.
Mayor Rick Stover and councilmembers used the April 10 work session to press for a separate council vote on a resolution supporting state legislation (Senate Bill 2118) that would change the composition and authority of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) board.
Mayor Stover described concerns about representation on the DART board, saying one large city has historically held a voting majority and smaller cities lack consistent full-time representation. He summarized Senator Parker’s proposal as giving each city a full representative while allowing Dallas additional votes (three votes or representatives) so it would retain significant representation but not unilateral control.
Council discussion and action: Councilmember John asked that the DART resolution be pulled from the consent agenda so council could vote on it separately; he said the subject is important to Irving residents. Council agreed to remove the item from consent and discuss it on the council docket as its own item. No final position vote on the resolution is recorded in the work-session transcript.
Why it matters: The city is weighing whether to support state legislation that would change how DART board seats are allocated; the change could affect local transit funding, routes and governance. Staff and council noted that legislative change would be required because DART’s structure stems from state law.
