City Council

PROTESTS ERUPT, DART EXIT CANCELED, AT&T INCENTIVE CLEARED AND “PLANO RIDES” LAUNCHED IN SWEEPING COUNCIL RESET

Plano City Council’s latest meeting mixed emotional public testimony with major policy votes. Residents pressed leaders over a delayed school assault case, while council locked in a new DART deal, canceled a planned exit election, approved a multimillion dollar AT&T incentive, launched a microtransit program, and advanced key zoning changes.

Residents Press Council On School Abuse Case

Public comment allows residents to address issues not on the agenda. Several speakers criticized police handling of an alleged classroom assault involving a nonverbal student, saying it took more than 300 days to forward the case to the District Attorney. They called for transparency and accountability. Council acknowledged concerns but did not provide detailed responses.

DART Agreement Approved And Exit Election Canceled

An interlocal agreement is a formal contract between governments. Council voted 8 to 0 to approve a new deal with DART, securing a General Mobility Program that returns 5 percent of sales tax revenue now, increasing to 10 percent by 2031, for local projects. Council also repealed its prior funding cap stance and canceled the May 2026 DART exit election.

DART Board Reform Resolution Backed

DART’s board sets regional transit budgets and routes. Council voted 8 to 0 to ask the state to revisit how board seats and voting power are structured among member cities. Speakers urged adding actual riders to the board to better reflect daily users and improve accountability across the transit system.

VIA Contract Approved, “Plano Rides” Selected