Several City departments are racking up expenses totaling $15.8 million in taxpayer money over their respective budgets, according to a recent City report.
Though these expenses are partially offset by other “savings” throughout the City — mostly staff shortages that lessen City spending on salaries — this still leaves the General Fund at $10.7 million over budget on net.
City staff delivered a budget accountability report to the City Council Government Performance and Financial Management Committee on Tuesday.
The report breaks down government spending for the period between October 2022 — when the City Council’s $4.75 billion budget for fiscal year 2022-23 went into effect — and January 31 of this year.
According to the report, the City’s $10.7 million net budget overrun is primarily due to overtime expenses and capital expenditures from the Park and Recreation Department.
These capital expenditures include unbudgeted security measures at recreation centers, parks, and trails, such as lighting, cameras, and staff.
Other department expenses include purchases of trucks and equipment that went over budget, deferred maintenance, and the department’s contribution to the Homeless Action Response Team (HART).
Because of these expenses, the Park and Recreation Department is projected to be $2.5 million over budget.
However, the report claims these costs are “partially offset by salary savings associated with vacant positions.”
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Park and Recreation has more vacancies than any other City department at 58%. The department currently employs 668 staff members and has 904 open positions.
The department also has one of the highest turnover rates of any City department at 60.7%.
The budget accountability report also found that Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR) is projected to be $11 million over budget due to overtime expenses.
“There’s nobody who has more overtime than DFR,” said Council Member Cara Mendelsohn during the Tuesday meeting.
The department’s specific allocation for uniform overtime expenses is projected to be $19.2 million over budget “as a result of higher than anticipated attrition requiring backfill to meet minimum staffing requirements,” according to the report.
However, that cost is reported to be partially offset by salary savings from vacant positions, like Park and Recreation, as well as taxpayer-funded reimbursements from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The ARPA reimbursement, which was initially budgeted for fiscal year 2021-22, comprises $2.5 million for paramedic training.
Other City entities that are over budget include the offices of the City Attorney, the City Secretary, Government Affairs, and Homeless Solutions, along with the Human Resources Department.
The City Attorney’s Office is projected to be $123,000 over budget due to termination payouts for retiring employees and other personnel expenses.
Former City Attorney Chris Caso announced his resignation in January, effective February 28. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, he could receive up to $162,000 — six months’ salary — in incremental payments.
When The Dallas Express asked the City if Caso was receiving these payments, Jennifer Brown, public information officer, said that “the City Attorney’s Office is not commenting publicly on this personnel matter.”
The City Secretary’s Office is projected to be $56,000 over budget “primarily due to a City Council approved equity adjustment.”
Dallas’ Office of Government Affairs is $18,000 over budget due to hiring an executive assistant.
Its Office of Homeless Solutions is $1.6 million over budget after an “emergency procurement” of temporary housing for 94 individuals who were previously living in a vagrant encampment that was shut down by the Dallas REAL Time Rapid Rehousing Initiative (DRTRR) in January.
The Human Resources Department is projected to be $197,000 over budget “primarily due to personnel costs associated with organizational changes.”
Additionally, the mayor and City Council are projected to be $98,000 over budget “primarily due to personnel costs associated with organizational changes.”