CTroyMathis
12-21-2002, 12:31 PM
DART pushes back expansion date
Agency says sales tax shortfall to delay rail's arrival until 2011
12/20/2002
By STEPHEN TERRY / The Dallas Morning News
After a warning from DART nearly a month ago that its suburban expansion could be delayed by 18 months, a transit agency official said Tuesday that light rail's arrival in Rowlett will be delayed at least two years – until 2011.
"The delay is based on the ... collapse of the D-FW economy," said Mark Enoch, Rowlett's DART board representative.
Sales tax shortfalls of about 20 percent have left Dallas Area Rapid Transit struggling to come up with cash to extend rail service into four suburbs, including Rowlett.
The reaction among Rowlett officials was mixed. Council member Stanton Foerster expressed concern that Rowlett was affected even though its sales tax revenues have been growing.
"Rowlett increased and everyone else decreased," Mr. Foerster said, noting his city's 7 percent gain in sales tax revenue over the last year. "This presentation is good for everyone else."
Mayor Shane Johnson said the city is a partner with DART and must stay committed.
"This city has invested nearly 10 years," he said. "While we would like to have light rail as quickly as possible, the 2011 date is positive. It is still two years ahead of the original projection we were given when we started."
Even with its increased sales tax receipts, DART officials said, Rowlett's contribution to the transit agency doesn't match those of other member cities, some of which are larger and have more stores and restaurants.
DART officials have said the next two years of sales tax collections will prove crucial to whether the agency can hold to its new expansion deadlines. DART has planned for no growth in sales tax revenue in the fiscal year that started in October, and it has projected 3 percent growth in sales tax revenue in the following fiscal year.
During a meeting earlier this week with Rowlett officials, Mr. Enoch said DART is being fiscally conservative. In the last year, DART's financial forecasts have been revised downward at least three times. Originally, the agency expected $406 million in sales tax revenue this year. Now it is counting on about $325 million.
About 80 percent of DART's money comes from sales taxes, so its revenue is greatly affected by fluctuations in the economy.
The agency is positioning itself to lobby for $700 million in federal funding over the next six to seven years, but none of it would be earmarked for Rowlett. DART also plans to raise fares in March.
Mr. Enoch, a former Rowlett mayor, urged the City Council not to give up on the vision of a downtown rail station.
"It will happen," Mr. Enoch said.
Mr. Johnson said it is important for the city to continue to plan for light rail, which officials hope will spark downtown development.
"I just view this as a hurdle," Mr. Johnson said. "We will jump it and continue on pace. It is important for metroplex cities to be connected. And having DART in Rowlett will be essential to the city's growth and being connected."
Agency says sales tax shortfall to delay rail's arrival until 2011
12/20/2002
By STEPHEN TERRY / The Dallas Morning News
After a warning from DART nearly a month ago that its suburban expansion could be delayed by 18 months, a transit agency official said Tuesday that light rail's arrival in Rowlett will be delayed at least two years – until 2011.
"The delay is based on the ... collapse of the D-FW economy," said Mark Enoch, Rowlett's DART board representative.
Sales tax shortfalls of about 20 percent have left Dallas Area Rapid Transit struggling to come up with cash to extend rail service into four suburbs, including Rowlett.
The reaction among Rowlett officials was mixed. Council member Stanton Foerster expressed concern that Rowlett was affected even though its sales tax revenues have been growing.
"Rowlett increased and everyone else decreased," Mr. Foerster said, noting his city's 7 percent gain in sales tax revenue over the last year. "This presentation is good for everyone else."
Mayor Shane Johnson said the city is a partner with DART and must stay committed.
"This city has invested nearly 10 years," he said. "While we would like to have light rail as quickly as possible, the 2011 date is positive. It is still two years ahead of the original projection we were given when we started."
Even with its increased sales tax receipts, DART officials said, Rowlett's contribution to the transit agency doesn't match those of other member cities, some of which are larger and have more stores and restaurants.
DART officials have said the next two years of sales tax collections will prove crucial to whether the agency can hold to its new expansion deadlines. DART has planned for no growth in sales tax revenue in the fiscal year that started in October, and it has projected 3 percent growth in sales tax revenue in the following fiscal year.
During a meeting earlier this week with Rowlett officials, Mr. Enoch said DART is being fiscally conservative. In the last year, DART's financial forecasts have been revised downward at least three times. Originally, the agency expected $406 million in sales tax revenue this year. Now it is counting on about $325 million.
About 80 percent of DART's money comes from sales taxes, so its revenue is greatly affected by fluctuations in the economy.
The agency is positioning itself to lobby for $700 million in federal funding over the next six to seven years, but none of it would be earmarked for Rowlett. DART also plans to raise fares in March.
Mr. Enoch, a former Rowlett mayor, urged the City Council not to give up on the vision of a downtown rail station.
"It will happen," Mr. Enoch said.
Mr. Johnson said it is important for the city to continue to plan for light rail, which officials hope will spark downtown development.
"I just view this as a hurdle," Mr. Johnson said. "We will jump it and continue on pace. It is important for metroplex cities to be connected. And having DART in Rowlett will be essential to the city's growth and being connected."