Learn Dallas
Build your understanding of how Dallas works from City Hall and the budget to neighborhoods, housing, and public meetings.
START HERE
New to Dallas government? Start with these five explainers.
- How Dallas Government Works
- Meet Your City Council
- How the Dallas Budget Works
- How City Council Meetings Work
- How to Give Public Comment
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO UNDERSTAND?
Learn the basics of how Dallas is organized, how the city is divided into districts, and how local government affects daily life.
Explore how Dallas government is structured, how decisions are made, and how city departments work together.
Learn about the mayor, city council, city manager, boards and commissions, and the roles they play in governing Dallas.
Understand where Dallas gets its money, how it spends it, and how the annual budget is created.
Learn about zoning, housing policies, planning, development, and how neighborhoods grow and change.
Explore roads, sidewalks, bike infrastructure, DART, parking, and transportation planning.
Learn about parks, libraries, sanitation, public safety, water, code compliance, and other services provided by the City of Dallas.
Discover how to attend meetings, give public comment, contact officials, serve on boards, and get involved in local government.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
COUNCIL-MANAGER
The mayor is often the political leader and presides over council meetings, while a professionally hired city manager oversees daily operations.
MAYOR-COUNCIL
The mayor often serves as the city’s chief executive and has greater authority over daily operations and department leadership.