Moving toward tax relief
The following is adapted from my email newsletter. To subscribe, click here.
Dallas is within reach of substantial tax relief in the upcoming year.
Last week, the Interim City Manager proposed a FY24–25 budget that recommends cutting the property tax rate to 70.47¢ per $100 valuation — 3.1¢ lower than the current rate of 73.57¢ and even below the no-new-revenue rate of 70.83¢.
This proposal would mark Dallas’ ninth consecutive year of property tax reductions and the largest single-year tax cut in decades.
Having long prioritized meaningful relief for Dallas taxpayers, I am grateful that the Interim City Manager has initiated the budget process with an admirable tax reduction. In the coming weeks, I will work with the Dallas City Council to identify opportunities to further reduce the tax rate while limiting the size and cost of city operations.
The council is scheduled to vote on the new tax rate and city budget on September 18. If you support a leaner, more efficient Dallas government that is less burdensome on you, the taxpayer, now is the time to contact your council member and make your voice heard.
S.M. Wright Freeway
On that note, last week showed how powerful the voices of Dallas residents can be.
Following the mistaken removal of street signs naming a stretch of State Highway 310 after S.M. Wright, the community called on the city to restore his name and officially designate the road as “S.M. Wright Freeway.”
So, we did just that. Dallas voted unanimously to affirm the community’s voices and preserve the legacy of Reverend S.M. Wright — a man who dedicated his life to fostering unity and peace in this city.
I am sincerely thankful to everyone who collaborated with the city on this matter and to those who came to City Hall on Wednesday to show their support.
New Police Facility
Dallas has also taken an important step toward the realization of the new Dallas Police Regional Training Academy at the University of North Texas at Dallas.
On Wednesday, the city authorized a contract with HKS to oversee the design of the new facility, which will be instrumental in bolstering our police force and ensuring Dallas remains the safest large city in America.
That’s all for today. Have a great week and stay safe!
