Transparency & Separation Policy (YES DART)

Effective: 01/01/2026

Transparency & Separation Policy (YES DART)

Effective Date: 01/01/2026

Purpose

YES DART is committed to running a compliant, transparent campaign. This policy explains:
• how we handle and disclose contributions and expenditures, and
• how we maintain separation from other organizations while operating as a Texas specific-purpose political committee (SPAC).

YES DART’s purpose and election date are:
“Shall the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) be continued in Plano?” (Election: 05/02/2026)

1) Transparency Practices

YES DART maintains records of contributions and expenditures, including:

  • Donor/entity name and required identifying information

  • Contribution amount and date

  • In-kind contributions (description and fair market value)

  • Expenditures and vendors

Because YES DART is a political committee, contribution and expenditure information may be disclosed through required filings and may become public record.

Filing authority: City Secretary, City of Plano, 1520 Municipal Ave, Plano, TX

2) Monthly Transparency Package

Each month, YES DART will publish a transparency package on the YES DART website (with reasonable security redactions such as bank account numbers), including:

  • Bank statement (redacted only for account security)

  • Ledger summary (raised/spent/cash-on-hand)

  • Expenditures list with receipts/invoices

  • In-kind log with valuations and documentation

PAC contributions accepted (up to $5,000 per PAC) will be clearly identified and published as part of these materials.

3) No Anonymous Contributions and Documentation Standards

YES DART does not accept anonymous contributions.

For in-kind contributions, YES DART requires donor identity and reasonable valuation documentation; if donor identity or valuation cannot be reasonably documented, YES DART will decline the contribution.

3A) Contribution Acceptance Preferences & Limits (Internal Policy Commitments)

  • Preference for individuals: YES DART’s preference is to accept contributions from individuals.

  • Corporations and unions: YES DART will generally not accept contributions from corporations or labor organizations (unions). Any such contribution will not be accepted unless reviewed in advance with an attorney or accountant and confirmed permissible and properly reportable.

  • PAC contributions: YES DART may accept contributions from PACs up to $5,000 per PAC (internal policy limit) and will publish PAC contributions for full transparency.

4) Donations Are Not Tax Deductible

Contributions to YES DART are not tax deductible.

5) In-Kind Contributions

YES DART may accept in-kind contributions (goods/services), such as printed materials, paper, signage, artwork, or design services. If accepted, YES DART will log donor info, description, date received, valuation method, and supporting documentation, and will report as required.

6) Use of Funds

Funds raised by YES DART will be used solely to further the purpose of YES DART, including communications, outreach, voter education, and other lawful campaign activities supporting a YES vote on the DART continuation measure in Plano.

7) Wind-Down Timeline (2026)

YES DART has adopted the following wind-down timeline:

  • Stop accepting contributions (no monetary or in-kind accepted after this date): May 1, 2026

  • Final vendor payments by: May 15, 2026

  • Surplus funds decision point: June 1, 2026

  • Last report filed by: June 15, 2026 (then dissolve/close)

If funds remain after 06/01/2026, the Board will determine disposition, including offering refunds where practical/lawful and/or making a charitable gift as documented and reported.

8) Separation From Keep DART in Plano (KDIP)

Some directors, officers, volunteers, or supporters involved with YES DART may also be affiliated with Keep DART in Plano (KDIP), a 501(c)(4) organization. However:

  • Funds are kept separate. YES DART funds are maintained in accounts controlled by YES DART and are not commingled with KDIP funds.

  • Spending decisions are separate. YES DART makes independent decisions about political spending and communications.

  • Activity boundaries are respected. YES DART and KDIP operate under a written Entity Separation Policy (Firewall Policy) that governs how the two entities may interact.

Shared Officers and Firewall Policy

YES DART’s officers may also serve as officers of Keep DART in Plano (KDIP). To ensure compliance and maintain clear separation between the organizations, we follow a written Entity Separation Policy (Firewall Policy) that governs communications, sponsorships, vendors, and financial transactions between KDIP and YES DART.

Firewall Policy availability: The Firewall Policy will be made publicly available on the Keep DART in Plano website or provided upon request at info@yesdart.org.

9) Public Meetings and Visibility

YES DART will not publish volunteer contact lists. However, YES DART meetings and activities may be public, and individuals may be observed or identified at public meetings or events by media or attendees.

Contact

Questions about this policy: info@yesdart.org