Dallas City Council members began debate Tuesday over the city manager’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2021-2022, which represents a record spending plan of $ 4.35 billion.
Police and roads are among the items that are being spent more.
At a briefing Tuesday, councilors said they were most satisfied with the plan, but one member said police were getting too much money.
The budget benefits from $ 355.4 million from the American Rescue Plan Act – the federal government’s COVID-19 aid fund to be used over a two-year period.
This money is meant to help communities recover from the pandemic, but there is some flexibility.
Elizabeth Reich, Dallas’s chief financial officer, said the money will only be used for one-time expenses that will not require city tax in the future.
“In terms of the ongoing expenses that arise from year to year, none of it is funded under the American Rescue Plan Act. What is funded there is anything that can be stopped when the money is gone, ”she said.
Still, the additional funds are a great benefit for the city’s budget problems.
For example, some of this would be used to buy 30 additional police cars, which in turn would allow the police to split cars with two officers into 60 units for quicker response to calls.
Greater Dallas Black Police Association President Terrance Hopkins supports officials who drive alone in cars, which he has done throughout his 30-year career.
“I agree with that. That helps us in terms of visibility, the officers, to be in the right place at the right time. And the backup is minutes away at any point, ”said Hopkins.
He said he is also excited about the planned increases in police and fire departments’ salaries so that seasoned people can work for the city and hire more.
The budget envisages hiring 250 more police officers over the next two years.
“We need to keep hiring and getting our numbers back to where they were before,” said Hopkins.
Given the brain drain of officers who resign or retire, the budget still only predicts a troop strength of around 3,200. The peak in 2010 was 3,690.
Police Chief Eddie Garcia said he believes the existing academy can train 250 more officers per year but may not be able to reach 275. Mayor Eric Johnson claims to have been hired.
“We’re trying to get additional staff on the road in the most efficient and cost-effective way for us,” said Assistant City Manager Jon Fortune.
Councilor Adam Bazaldua turned down the $ 31.5 million plan for police spending overtime, double the current budget.
“When will the police be held accountable to take control of their overtime, which is spiraling out of control,” Bazaldua said.
Police leaders said overtime should decrease as more officials are hired to work at regular hours.
The spending plan provides better pay to hire more than 60 additional staff at the 911 call center, which has faced 911 delays for years.
Councilor Adam McGough said delays were unacceptable and issues needed to be resolved.
“Are we doing enough with the changes we propose, or do we need to do more in this budget?” Asked McGough.
Officials believe their 911 staff plan will work. They also hope that better pay will improve the staffing of plumbing workers to end delays in garbage collection.
The streets of Bad Dallas are receiving $ 150 million, the beginning of a multi-year plan to reverse decades of neglect.
“We had people asking that we finally get this funded so we wouldn’t get worse. So it’s really exciting to bring this in, ”said Councilor Omar Narvaez.
In addition to federal COVID-19 bailouts, Dallas City Hall is also benefiting from a rebound in sales tax revenues since the closure of home stores at the start of the pandemic.
An increase in property values increases property tax revenues significantly.
A small 3 cents per $ 100 decrease in the sales tax rate is proposed to bring the rate down from 77.63 to 77.33.
The Dallas property tax rate would still be one of the highest in North Texas and among the state’s major cities.
A number of City Hall budget meetings are virtual and scheduled in locations across the city before a final vote by the Dallas City Council on the new budget is scheduled for September.
Citizens have many opportunities to express themselves and express their feelings.
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