Amber Dakan

The commission meeting included updates on the United Way Ride United initiative, Transit Riders Advisory Committee activities, and an overview of the Reimagine DART network implementation. Key actions taken included the approval of the Des Moines Public Schools service contract renewal, the annual health insurance renewal with Wellmark BCBS, the procurement of eight light-duty buses from Hoglund Bus Co., and the approval of the 2027 Transportation Improvement Program. Additionally, the commission appointed new DART staff representatives to the Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Committee, clarified CEO signing authority for the incoming CEO, and reviewed March FY2026 financial reports and quarterly safety performance data. A construction update for the Operations and Maintenance Facility Phase I was also provided.

The Commission meeting involved the election of officers for the remainder of the 2026 calendar year. Key administrative actions included the approval of several consent items, such as the withdrawal requests for Pleasant Hill and Bondurant, IT network hardware modernization, federal lobbying services contract extensions, bus stop sign contracts, and the design phase for the operations and maintenance facility. Furthermore, the Commission approved 2026 state legislative priorities focusing on transit funding. Discussion items covered a paratransit service area analysis, an update on the fiscal year 2027 budget, and progress on the workforce shuttle.

The commission addressed several key agenda items, including the certification of the FY 2027 budget and tax levy rates, and the approval of a contract for the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) replacement software with Oracle. Additionally, the commission reviewed and approved various consent items, such as grant applications for FY 2027, extensions for executive consulting and benefits broker contracts, an increased contract for on-call architecture and engineering services, and the assignment of unallocated funds to reserve accounts. The meeting also featured a public hearing on the proposed budget and reports on operational performance, transit ridership updates, and agency leadership transitions.

The commission reviewed and approved several consent items, including a uniform services contract amendment and financial reports. Action items focused on the approval of audited fiscal year financials and the Reimagine DART implementation plan, which encompasses service changes, a fare policy update, and bus stop design guidelines. Additionally, the commission held discussions regarding a paratransit service area analysis and an update on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Reimagine DART Final Network Report details a collaborative effort to transform public transit in Greater Des Moines. This plan outlines a new bus network focusing on maximizing ridership with increased frequencies on fewer routes, timed connections at DART Central Station, and wider stop spacing for faster travel, alongside microtransit zones for coverage in Altoona, Ankeny, and Clive/Urbandale. Key outcomes include a projected 15% increase in job access for the average resident (89% on Sundays) and a 5% increase in residents near transit, particularly benefiting low-income individuals and residents of color. The redesigned network, approved in December 2025, is scheduled for implementation starting June 2026, with further projects planned for 2026 and 2027.