DALLAS – WEEKLY RECAP
What happened at Dallas City Hall this week?
Dallas passed its new budget, restored additional library funding, explained why it changed its Cultural Plan, and opened a new debate over what neighborhoods can put on sidewalks.
If You Only Have a Minute
01
BUDGET
Dallas passed its new budget with a $0.6978 property tax rate.
02
LIBRARIES
Council put another $1.7 million back into Dallas libraries.
03
ARTS + CULTURE
Dallas says federal requirements drove changes to its Cultural Plan.
THE BIG STORY
Dallas passed its new budget. But it was still changing at the last minute.
After weeks of town halls, public hearings and amendments, Dallas made its final budget decisions Wednesday.
$5.97B
final appropriations approved by Dallas City Council
Okay. What happened?
Dallas City Council approved its FY 2026-27 budget Wednesday.
The final package sets spending for police, fire, libraries, parks, streets and other City services for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.
But Council was still moving money around shortly before taking the final vote.
One of the biggest last minute changes involved Dallas libraries.
So what does that mean for you?
The new budget determines how much money City departments have to provide services over the next year.
For residents, that means everything from when libraries are open to street repairs, parks, police and fire services.
And there’s another number residents should know:
69.78¢
property tax rate per $100 of assessed value
The rate is slightly lower than last year. But that doesn’t necessarily mean your tax bill will be lower.
Your bill also depends on your property’s taxable value and exemptions.
When does the new budget start?
Oct. 1.
That’s when the new spending plan takes effect.
LIBRARIES
Dallas put another $1.7 million back into libraries.
Library funding was still changing just before Council adopted the budget.
+1.7M
added during Wednesday’s final budget debate
Okay. What happened?
Council approved another $1.7 million for Dallas libraries on the final day of the budget process.
That came after Council had already approved $1.125 million in additional library funding through an earlier amendment.
The additional money was intended to help maintain six day library service and account for Arcadia Park Branch Library.
Library supporters had spent the morning asking Council to reverse proposed reductions. Speakers described about $3.3 million in library cuts in the proposed budget.
THE CATCH
This doesn’t mean every proposed library cut disappeared.
The additional money changes the final library budget, but staffing and operating changes were also part of the City’s proposed library model.
The final branch schedules will show residents exactly what the additional funding changes.
ARTS + CULTURE
Dallas says federal rules drove changes to its Cultural Plan.
Equity and Diversity are no longer standalone priorities in the revised plan.
Okay. What happened?
Dallas Arts and Culture staff told Council that changes to the Cultural Plan were made in response to federal guidelines involving diversity, equity and inclusion.
Staff said the City was required to make changes to remain compliant with those guidelines.
The original plan had six priorities.
The revised version has four: Communication, Space, Support for Artists and Sustainable Arts Ecosystem.
WAIT. IS DALLAS WRITING A WHOLE NEW CULTURAL PLAN?
Not yet.
Staff said these changes weren’t intended to be a complete rewrite of the City’s 2018 Cultural Plan.
But Dallas is beginning work toward its next Cultural Plan, which is expected to include another community engagement process.
Council members also asked staff to report back on what Dallas actually accomplished under the 2018 plan.
MORE FROM CITY HALL
Also worth knowing
Four more things that came up at City Hall this week.
SIDEWALK ART
Dallas could create rules for putting art on sidewalks.
Dallas currently doesn’t allow markings on sidewalks. After Cedar Springs’ rainbow crosswalks were removed, the City is exploring whether it should create a broader policy allowing sidewalk art.
No policy was approved Monday.
STREET REPAIRS
Dallas says it’s on track to beat its street work goal.
Dallas had completed about 562 lane miles as of Sept. 8. Staff expects to reach roughly 780 by the end of the fiscal year above the original 759 mile goal.
WATER
A bigger conversation about Dallas’ future water supply is coming.
Councilmember Paula Blackmon asked for a broader discussion about where Dallas will get its water as North Texas grows and deals with drought conditions.
Staff agreed to bring the issue back for a future discussion.
CHILDCARE
Dallas could take a bigger look at its childcare problem.
Councilmember Chad West requested a future briefing on childcare including existing City programs, the size of the need and what other cities are doing.
QUICK HITS
A few more things.
DART
Dallas has almost committed $80 million in DART transportation money.
Staff said about $1.3 million remained to be committed.
STREETS
It could get easier to find out when your street is getting fixed.
Transportation staff wants to develop a searchable system showing residents where street projects are happening and when.
PARKS
Dallas is going after $15 million for a new park in the Medical District.
The Park Board approved an application for a $15 million federal grant for a Texas Trees Foundation park project in the Southwestern Medical District. The grant isn’t guaranteed yet.
ZEBRA MUSSELS
Two reservoirs Dallas uses are infested with zebra mussels.
Water staff said Lake Ray Roberts and Lake Lewisville are classified as infested.
LOOKING AHEAD
What to watch next
SEP. 23 · CITY COUNCIL
Dallas’ new budget is finished. Now attention turns to what’s next.
The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1, when Dallas’ FY 2026–27 budget takes effect.
Before then, Council returns Sept. 23 for its next voting agenda.
THE RECEIPTS
Don’t take our word for it.
Want to go deeper? Here’s where this week’s information came from.
Watch the final budget discussion
Dallas City Council
Watch the Cultural Plan discussion
Quality of Life, Arts & Culture Committee
Watch the sidewalk art, streets and water discussion
Landmark Commission
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