Dallas approves record 5.7 billion budget

The Dallas City Council voted 10-5 to pass the fiscal year 2027 budget Wednesday after hours of debate. The budget increases funding for police and fire while cutting spending in other areas.

Property tax rate decreases slightly

The council approved a property tax rate of 69.78 cents per $100 of assessed value, down 0.1 cents from the current rate.

Police get largest funding increase

The Dallas Police Department will receive over $823 million from the General Fund in fiscal year 2027, up from about $758 million in 2026. Police and fire together account for about 63% of General Fund spending.

Fire department funding also rises

Dallas Fire-Rescue will receive just over $471 million, up from about $453 million in 2026. Public safety spending overall is projected to rise by about $80 to $83 million.

Proposition U requires 4,000 officers

Voters approved Proposition U in 2024, requiring Dallas to maintain at least 4,000 sworn police officers and set starting salaries among the top five in the five-county region.

Budget falls 349 officers short

The city manager's budget targets 3,651 sworn officers by the end of fiscal year 2027, leaving Dallas 349 officers short of Proposition U's 4,000-officer minimum.

Mendelsohn warns of legal challenges

Council Member Cara Mendelsohn raised concerns about potential legal challenges if Dallas fails to comply with Proposition U, saying the city must fund public safety as promised.

“We have to put our money where our mouth is. We can't have the mayor on a national stage saying public safety is number one and then not fund it.”

Arts and library funding cut

The Office of Arts and Culture funding drops from $16 million to $13 million. The Dallas Public Library will use a flagship-branch model with five locations offering extended hours, but no branches will close.

Housing advocacy funding partially restored

Housing and Community Empowerment funding will decline from $22 million to $18 million. The council restored $500,000 for eviction advocacy that the city manager had proposed eliminating.

City Hall maintenance still unfunded

The budget does not include funding for deferred maintenance at Dallas City Hall, an issue the council debated throughout the year. Council Member Adam Bazaldua criticized the decision.

“After everything this council has been through this year, we did not put a single dollar of deferred maintenance funding towards City Hall.”

Mayor criticizes council spending reversals

Mayor Eric Johnson said the city manager's budget provided a strong foundation but criticized the council for reversing proposed cost-saving measures, warning the pattern cannot continue.

“Unfortunately, during the budget process, the council reversed a number of the City Manager's proposed cost-saving measures. This pattern cannot continue.”