Dallas, Explaind
Understand how Dallas works from City Hall to your neighborhood.
Choose how you want to explore Dallas: learn the basics, follow current decisions, participate in local government, or explore your city.
This Week At City Hall
Stay up to date with the biggest meetings, decisions, and issues happening in Dallas government this week.
Recent Posts
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This Week at City Hall: September 14-18
Final budget decisions. A rewritten Cultural Plan. Dallas’ future water supply. And two apartment proposals getting opposite recommendations. Here’s what to watch at City Hall this week.
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What Happened at Dallas City Hall This Week? | Sept. 7-11, 2026
Flock access changed. 640 proposed affordable apartments moved forward. And a historic Dallas home was saved from demolition for now. Here’s what happened at City Hall this week.
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This Week at City Hall: September 8-10
From Flock cameras and living wages to affordable housing and 911 spending, here are 5 questions we’re watching at Dallas City Hall this week.
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What Happened at Dallas City Council?: September 4
Dallas moved its budget forward, kept Flock camera funding, started asking how to regulate data centers, and took a closer look at extreme heat and City Park. Here’s what happened at City Hall this week.
Start Here
New to Dallas? Start with these four lessons before exploring everything else.
How Dallas Government Works
Learn how Dallas is organized and who runs the city.
You’ll learn:
- Council-Manager Government
- Mayor vs. City Manager
- City Council
- City Departments
- How decisions are made
Why it matters:
Before you can understand city issues, you need to know who is responsible for making decisions.
Dallas Budget 101
Learn where Dallas gets its money, where it goes, and how the budget is created.
You’ll learn:
- Revenue
- Spending
- Budget process
- Budget timeline
- Budget shortfalls
Why it matters:
Nearly every city decision from parks to police is connected to the budget.
How Dallas Grows
Learn how neighborhoods change and why new homes, businesses, and roads are built where they are.
You’ll learn:
- Zoning
- Planning
- Development
- Housing
- Infrastructure
Why it matters:
This explains many of the questions people have about growth, traffic, housing, and neighborhood change.
How To Get Involved
Learn how residents can influence decisions.
You’ll learn:
- City Council meetings
- Public comment
- Finding your council member
- Boards & Commissions
- Community workshops
Why it matters:
Understanding the city is only the first step. This lesson shows you how to participate.
What’s Happening Right Now?
Stay informed about what’s happening right now.
City Council
Follow upcoming meetings, agendas, presentations, and meeting summaries.
City Budget
See the current budget, proposed changes, and budget timeline.
Major Projects
Track major developments, infrastructure projects, and planning initiatives.
Latest Explainers
Understand the biggest issues currently affecting Dallas.
Explore Dallas
Choose a topic to understand.
Budget & Finance
Learn where Dallas gets its money, how it’s spent, taxes, fees, and the annual budget process.
Housing & Development
Understand zoning, housing types, development, and neighborhood planning.
Transportation
Learn how streets, sidewalks, DART, parking, and traffic projects work.
Public Safety
Explore policing, Fire-Rescue, emergency management, and public safety policies.
Parks & Public Spaces
Discover how Dallas maintains parks, libraries, trails, and recreation centers.
Government & Elections
Learn how the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, boards, and elections work.
Get Involved
Ready to get involved?
Find Your Council Member
Upcoming Meetings
Speak at City Hall
Boards & Commissions
Find the boards shaping decisions about housing, parks, policing, development, libraries and more and learn how to serve.
Community Workshops
Public Comment Guide
Popular questions
- Why did my property taxes go up?
- Where does Dallas get its money?
- Who decides the budget?
- Why is my street under construction?
- How does zoning work?
- Who fixes potholes?
- What does 311 do?
Dallas by the numbers
Population: 1.3 million people
Dallas is home to more than 1.3 million residents, making it one of the largest cities in the United States.
14 Council Districts + 1 Mayor
14 Council Districts + 1 Mayor
$5+ Billion
Every year, Dallas adopts a budget that funds services like police, parks, streets, libraries, and more.
400+ Parks
Dallas operates hundreds of parks, trails, recreation centers, and public spaces.