City leaders approved $135,288,322 in costs to Dallas taxpayers during a council meeting Wednesday.
This was the first meeting of the Dallas City Council since 11 members and Mayor Eric Johnson were re-elected in Saturday’s general election, as reported by The Dallas Express.
Dallas taxpayers — along with other taxpayers via funding from the State of Texas and COVID-19 relief funds from the federal government — will cover the costs authorized by the council.
Texas will provide $2,245,591 of the funding through the state’s Opioid Abatement Trust Fund ($941,732.69), as well as grants from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ($55,497) and the Texas Department of Transportation ($1,248,362).
The most expensive item approved by the council on Wednesday was a $48,559,500 construction improvement project at the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant. BAR Constructors will undertake the project, which will focus on upgrading the plant’s headworks and primary clarifiers. Funding will come from the City’s Wastewater Capital Improvement funds and Wastewater Construction Fund.
City leaders authorized spending an additional $30,158,400 on construction upgrades at water pump stations throughout Dallas. The project was awarded to Archer Western Contractors and will be paid for using various City funds dedicated to water infrastructure.
The City also approved spending $40,617,200.53 on a five-year agreement for a “digital temporary workforce staffing system” for human resources.
The council also approved spending $5,790,000 in COVID-19 relief funds from the federal government on mental health services, youth programs, and sidewalks. The City will use $2,750,000 of those funds for mental health support programs.
According to the item’s resolution, the City will “establish the Community Mental Health program … to provide mental health support to City residents who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are members of an eligible low- or moderate-income household.”
Furthermore, the City will spend $1,660,000 of COVID funds on “youth development services” with The K16 Ready Society, a Fort Worth-based nonprofit that offers mental health services, education, and mentorship programs to at-risk youth.
Similarly, the council authorized spending $1,200,000 of COVID relief funds on “family violence intervention programs” with Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas, a nonprofit “mental health and social services” agency.
COVID-19 recovery funds will also partially cover the costs of pedestrian infrastructure improvements throughout the City, including sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic signals.
The spending approved for this project totals $878,400. COVID funds will cover $180,000, while the remainder will come from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
Other City expenditures approved by the council on Wednesday include:
- $4,208,000 — Construction services for Fair Park Tower Building rehabilitation.
- $1,513,000 — Acquiring 49,355 square feet of property for the Cotton Belt Trailhead Project.
- $748,177.40 — Construction services for the Cadillac Heights Park Demolition and Reestablishment Project.
- $612,118 — Consulting contract for the implementation of Dallas Housing Policy 2023.
- $511,596 — Reappointing Mark Swann as City Auditor for two years.
- $500,000 — Constructing a road diet on MLK Boulevard.
- $162,245.18 — Engineering design contract for a project on Wheatland Road.
- $82,047 — Acquiring 4,140 square feet of property for the Dolphin Road from Spring Avenue to North Haskell Avenue Project.
- $67,500 — Settling a lawsuit from a car accident involving a police officer “operating a city-owned vehicle.”
- $62,908.51 — Promoting a safety belt enforcement initiative.
- $55,497 — Promoting an outdoor outreach program.
In addition to these expenditures, the council approved several items expected to help refill the City coffers.
The City expects to bring in $2,118,200 by selling 81 properties acquired by local taxing authorities.
The council authorized “abandoning” several property easements that will bring in $23,460 and a portion of an alley that will bring in $159,020.
Dallas is expected to bring in another $300,000 from a five-year contract with Southwest Perennials for operating a City-owned greenhouse and nursery.
The City will also take $220 by granting a license to QuikTrip to use a portion of land on Knoll Trail Drive.
During the most recent prior council meeting in April, City leaders approved more than $100 million in costs to taxpayers, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.