Low Turnout Reported at First Public Hearing on Dallas City Budget 

The Dallas City Council advertised that it was seeking public input last month on its Fiscal Year 2023-24 operating, capital, grant, and trust budget, but just one resident appeared before the panel. 

No supplemental documents, such as a proposed budget, were posted with the May 24 Dallas City Council agenda, so there wasn’t much on which to comment.

Tekisha Hobbs addressed the council on behalf of the Dallas Bicycle Coalition and Bike Friendly South Dallas. 

“I’m here to urge you to prioritize funds for biking and safe alternatives to driving a personal vehicle,” Hobbs said. “While the budget does not show a lot of detail yet, I wanted to be here to highlight some needs that have been missing in the past. The 2022-23 budget included $2.5 million for bicycles and implementing bike lanes, and that’s not enough.” 

No one commented during a separate public hearing on the proposed 2023-24 consolidated plan budget for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant funds. 

The low turnout isn’t necessarily a sign that residents aren’t interested in how the city is spending their tax dollars. It’s early in the process, and most residents in attendance at the May 24 meeting were there to see how the council would vote on Interstate 345. 

The City Council approved a $4.75 billion budget in September. Budget hearings are expected to ramp up again over the summer as Dallas heads toward adopting a new document. The fiscal year begins Oct. 1. 

City leaders also are preparing for a 2024 bond election to address some much-needed infrastructure upgrades and capital projects. 

In a message to residents at the adoption of last year’s budget, City Manager T.C. Broadnax said the general fund portion of the budget was $1.7 billion, amounting to a $172 million increase (11 percent) over the previous year.

“The increased funding will allow us to make investments that are important to the residents of Dallas,” Broadnax said. “With unprecedented growth in property values, this budget also includes a decreasing property tax rate for the seventh year in a row – by 2.75 cents. This will lower the property tax rate from 77.33 cents to 74.58 cents per $100 valuation. We have once again increased the property exemption for residents who are over 65 or living with a disability — from $107,000 to $115,500.” 

The city manager is expected to present a recommended budget in August for approval in late September. Dallas City Council members propose amendments and take feedback through a series of public hearings during that time period.