Mayor Johnson: A fiscal iceberg

The City of Dallas is facing a looming structural deficit because of the ever-growing size of Dallas city government.

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The City of Dallas is headed toward a fiscal iceberg.

As stated in the City Manager’s proposed budget, the city is facing a looming structural deficit because of the ever-growing size of Dallas city government.

On Wednesday, the City Council had an opportunity to reverse the city’s course and put Dallas city government on a path toward fiscal responsibility.

Unfortunately, a majority of the City Council rejected this opportunity and instead approved a tax rate ceiling that, if adopted, will likely increase your city property tax bill.

The tax rate ceiling that I supported would have reduced city property tax bills for most homeowners in Dallas and would have halted the growth in size of city government.

There is still time to turn the City of Dallas’ ship around, though! (Watch an explanation of this metaphor here.)

Between now and September 20, the City Council can still propose amendments to decrease the size of the city manager’s proposed budget and adopt a tax rate that would likely hold your city property tax bill level or decrease it.

You deserve and can have a city government that taxes you less and delivers essential city services more efficiently and cost effectively. The time to change course is now — before we hit the fiscal iceberg and while the ship can still be turned around!

Email your City Council representative and let them know you need a lower tax bill, not just a lower tax rate.

Together, we can turn this ship around and put Dallas on a path toward fiscal responsibility.

The safest city in the country

A new Gallup poll reveals that Americans rate Dallas the safest large city in the country!

I discussed the poll with Fox News hosts Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer last week and shared with them why Americans from coast to coast are starting to see what Dallas residents already know: Dallas is a great city because it is a safe city.

Watch the full interview and learn more about Dallas’ success in lowering violent crime here.

A world champion

American sprinter and Dallasite Sha’Carri Richardson — a David W. Carter High School alumna — set a 100 meter world championship record last week at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. She will bring home a gold medal after winning the 100 meter race in a dazzling 10.65 seconds.

Congratulations, Sha’Carri!

As you can see, Dallas is truly the place to be! It is the honor and privilege of a lifetime to continue serving the residents of this great city.