The Dallas City Council will host a hearing Wednesday for the proposed 2023-2024 budget that increases taxpayer spending and prioritizes taxpayer spending based on “equity elements.”
Residents will have the opportunity to give feedback to council members on the $4.6 billion budget proposed by City Manager T.C. Broadnax.
Registrations to speak can be filled out here. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. Tuesday.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the budget proposes an increase in taxpayer spending across many departments. While the budget does include a property tax rate cut of $0.0065 per $100 valuation, property tax payments continue to increase due to increased property valuations.
While “the FY23-24 proposed budget provides for a slight tax rate reduction,” Council Member Cara Mendelsohn wrote in a memo to Mayor Eric Johnson, it “still increases the tax burden on residents and businesses.”
In an effort to substantively address both City spending and the tax burden on Dallas residents, Mendelsohn has proposed adopting a “no-new-revenue” tax rate, as reported by The Dallas Express.
Mayor Johnson subsequently directed Broadnax to develop a revised City budget based upon a “no-new-revenue” tax rate.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the current proposed budget would also increase taxpayer spending on “cultural equity” by funding events such as LGBTQ Pride celebrations.
Furthermore, Broadnax’s proposed budget highlights priorities based on “equity elements” — a measure derived from the City’s Racial Equity Plan adopted by the City Council last year.
However, not every council member is on board for these ‘equity’-driven measurements.
“I don’t see the rhyme or reason … I found stuff that just didn’t make sense to me, and I would hope that we find a way to make it more accurate,” said Council Member Kathy Stewart. “You may need to run it through council members who really know their district.”
Another “equity”-driven initiative being promoted by the City using taxpayer dollars may be unconstitutional, according to an expert who previously spoke with The Dallas Express.