The City of Dallas recently released a proposed budget of $4.5 billion for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
Primarily put together by Mayor Eric Johnson and City Manager T.C. Broadnax, this year’s proposed budget will be discussed by the city council and undergo times of public comment. Ultimately, the final budget must be approved by September 30.
Out of the total budget, $1.71 billion of taxpayer dollars is designated as “general funding,” which is mostly put towards public safety but also subsidizes public transportation. This amount, funded primarily by sales and property taxes, is nearly $200 million more than last year.
The proposed budget directs $157.3 million for city infrastructure, such as the maintenance and repair of sidewalks, overpasses, bridges, and more. Additionally, 75 miles of water and wastewater lines have been highlighted for repair, and some new lines are set to be installed.
The budget plans to “initiate” the $2 billion “Master Plan” to renovate the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Other public works, such as libraries, will have expanded operating hours.
City members will also focus on curbing illegal dumping and employing a team to take care of loose dogs around Dallas.
The budget also includes an increase in the City’s minimum wage. If approved, the budget would raise the minimum wage from $15 to $18 per hour.
For homeowners, the budget proposes to cut the property tax rate to 74.58 cents per $100 valuation, a decrease of 2.75 cents and the most significant reduction in several decades. On the flip side, for many homeowners, taxes will still increase due to house valuations rising across the state.
Additionally, sanitation fees are estimated to rise by $1.51 per month, and water fees are set to increase by $3.25. The increased fees are attributed to paying employees more and the cost of connecting Lake Palestine to the Dallas water system.
The budget also includes money for hiring 250 new police officers and investing in retention strategies for the police force. The police budget has stayed relatively stagnant the past few years, with some overtime pay getting cut. Crime has been on the rise in some districts of Dallas, as reported by The Dallas Express.
Another $22 million is allocated to the fire department and will be used to improve hazardous waste response, dispatch teams, and training.
Members of the public can come and comment on the proposed budget during the weekly city hall meetings scheduled each Wednesday this month. The deadline to register to speak is 5 p.m. on Tuesday each week.
Also, a series of informational Budget Town Halls are scheduled throughout the city from now through August 25.
