A board of nine Commissioners governs DART, which as a tax-supported transit system is ultimately accountable to this region’s voters.

About

The volunteer Commissioners set policy and oversee DART’s budget, leaving the planning and day-to-day operations to DART staff. Two of the Commissioners are at-large representatives, appointed by the Polk County Supervisors. The seven remaining Commissioners represent specific regions, which largely mirror the seven state senate districts in Polk County; they are appointed by the mayors within that district and those appointments are approved by the City Councils within that district. Many of the Commissioners are elected officials within their district, although that is not a requirement of the position. Terms are four years.

Commission Members

Region 1 • Altoona, Bondurant, Carlisle, Des Moines, Elkhart, Mitchellville, Runnells 

Commissioner: Skip Conkling     
Alternate: Keith Ryan

Region 2 • Clive, West Des Moines, Windsor Heights

Commissioner: Steve Brody, Vice Chair  
Alternate: Steve Peterson

Region 3 • Des Moines

Commissioner: Christine Hensley 
Alternate: Lary Hulse

Region 4 • Granger, Grimes, Johnston, Urbandale

Commissioner: Tom Gayman  
Alternate: Vacant

Region 5 • Des Moines, Pleasant Hill

Commissioner: Bob Mahaffey,  Secretary/Treasure
Alternate: Ben Champ

Region 6 • Des Moines

Commissioner: Vacant  
Alternate: Vacant

Region 7 • Ankeny, Des Moines, Polk City, Sheldahl

Commissioner: Steve Van Oort, Chair
Alternate: Vacant

At Large • Polk County

Commissioner: Angela Connolly 
Alternate: David Jones

Commissioner: Gaye Johnson 
Alternate: Ruth Randleman

Commission Meetings

The Commissioners meet monthly at DART Central Station, 620 Cherry Street, Des Moines. Meetings begin at 4 p.m. and are typically held on the first Tuesday of the month, although the time and date are subject to change depending on holidays or other events.

The meetings for 2013 are scheduled for January 8, February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5 and December 3. 

Public Comments – Guidelines

Citizens are welcome to attend the board meetings and address the Commission. Some questions and concerns might more easily be addressed by staff, however, so citizens are invited to first call staff at 515-283-8100.

The Commission has established guidelines for making public comments to ensure that meetings are conducted efficiently. Citizens may address the Commission during the public comment period at the start of the meeting. Speakers will be limited to three minutes. In addition, the Chair may limit the total time allotted for public comments.

Citizens will also be given an opportunity to address the Commission during public hearings when they are held during regular meetings. Speakers are asked to limit their comments on the topic of the hearing; unrelated comments can be shared during the regular public comment period at the start of the meeting.

Citizens are kindly asked to limit their remarks to the times allotted for comment so the Commission can conduct business expediently.