Farmers Branch council rescinds May withdrawal election from DART after months of negotiation

The Farmers Branch City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 24 to approve Ordinance No. 3994, rescinding the previously scheduled special election that would have asked voters whether the city should withdraw from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system. Council members said the recently negotiated funding and governance concessions gave the city a better immediate outcome than risking a withdrawal vote that could cut off both service and planned funding changes.

The vote followed an extended public-comment period during which dozens of residents, employers and disability advocates urged the council to cancel the ballot measure. "Take the deal," said James Bagby, one of several speakers who repeatedly urged council to accept DART’s offer rather than pursue withdrawal. Speakers described reliance on the Green Line for commuting, college access and paratransit services and warned that trains would continue to pass through Farmers Branch but would not stop if the city left DART.

Why it matters: Councilmembers and DART officials described three central elements at stake — funding, governance and service. DART chair Randall Bryant said the agency had agreed to funding adjustments (a guaranteed minimum scaling from 5% up toward 10% and a framework for returning more sales tax revenue to member cities) and governance changes intended to give suburban members more voice. Dallas County Commissioner Andy Summerman warned of nontransportation risks tied to a successful withdrawal, including possible state environmental/transportation-control consequences if rail service were permanently shuttered.

Councilmembers who supported rescinding the election cited an analysis that accepting the concessions would secure an estimated minimum of about $11.6 million for Farmers Branch over the next six years (with staff and other leaders discussing additional potential returns) and the new governance seat that would increase local influence over policy. Opponents on the dais and some public commenters cautioned that the concessions included contingencies, could lead to some service reductions while funds are reallocated, and that rescinding the election would remove a lever of pressure on DART for the next six years.

Noted exchange: DART chair Randall Bryant told the council, "We've made an enormous amount of progress," and described work on funding, governance and service concepts. Dallas County Commissioner Andy Summerman urged investment in behavioral-health deflection centers to address homelessness and crime on transit and said the county could offer $1,000,000 from Road & Bridge funds to help repair roadway impacts if the city stays with DART.

Formal action: Councilman Neal moved to approve Ordinance No. 3994 (to repeal Ordinance No. 3977 and cancel the special election on withdrawal). The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Council also voted to cancel a special call meeting that had been set for Friday.

What if the election had proceeded: Officials noted that if Farmers Branch had held a withdrawal election and voters approved withdrawal, service to the city would stop shortly after certification but the city would still owe its share of obligations to DART for several years. DART and council members said the state transportation code and the agency’s processes would govern how assessments and obligations are calculated.

Next steps: Councilmembers said they would continue negotiations with DART, press for implementation of promised governance and accountability measures, and monitor DART’s delivery of security and service improvements. Mayor (identified in the meeting transcript as Mayor Terry Lynn) said he would be “a hawk” to ensure promised changes are implemented. The council did not adopt an alternative transit plan at the meeting; staff and council members indicated further work is needed to define and cost any local replacement services if they ever become necessary.