After a sometimes acrimonious 12-hour meeting, the Dallas City Council voted 9-6 late Wednesday to approve a city budget that approaches $4 billion. The split decision stands in contrast to last year’s unanimous vote of approval.
Last fall’s kumbaya evaporated around police reform, police overtime, highly compensated employees, taxes and fees. Council members in opposition had their own reasons for voting thumbs down. The most notable nay was from Mayor Eric Johnson, who cited his opposition to reducing funds available to police and not paring a “bloated” bureaucracy.
Other members joining Johnson were Adam Medrano, Adam McGough, Lee Kleinman, Cara Mendelsohn and Jennifer Staubach-Gates.
The approval did include a reduction in the tax rate, although it wasn’t enough for some members who said that higher appraisals will still mean a higher tax bill for Dallas residents.
East Dallas council members Dave Blewett (District 14) and Paula Blackmon (District 9) voted in favor.
“This budget implements R.E.A.L. change and action to creatively address systemic racism in our city while also maintaining our police force and lessening the burden on our police officers to fix all of the ails of our communities,” Councilwoman Blackmon in a written statement.
Previously, the Advocate did a deeper dive on the budget here.
