One year later
The following is adapted from my email newsletter. To subscribe, click here.
This week marks one year since being inaugurated into my second term with overwhelming approval from the people of Dallas. At that time, I pledged to build on this city’s momentum in the three Ps — public safety, parks, and property tax reform.
Dallas recommitted to the goals of becoming the safest major city in America, having the best park system of any major city in Texas, and having the lowest property tax rate of any North Texas city.
One year later, Dallas has made remarkable progress in these three areas. As this Administration enters its sixth year, now is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and the achievements Dallas has reached.
Safest Major City in America
- Americans deemed Dallas the safest major city in the United States in a Gallup poll last summer.
- Dallas is in its fourth consecutive year of violent crime reduction.
- Overall violent crime has decreased more than 17% year-to-date, with aggravated assaults down 22% and homicides down nearly 30%, according to the most recent data.
- In the first quarter of 2024, Dallas recorded its lowest violent crime numbers in six years.
- Increased city funding for the Dallas Police Department, budgeting for 250 more police officers.
- Secured additional investment in public safety through the 2024 Capital Bond Program, including $50 million for a new, state-of-the-art police training academy at the University of North Texas at Dallas.
- Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia, whose data-driven approach has been essential to the city’s success, committed to staying with Dallas for at least three more years.
№1 Parks of Any Major Texas City
- Dallas was officially identified as having the best park system of any major city in Texas by the Trust for Public Land.
- Solidified Dallas’ standing as a national model for developing parks and green spaces in an urban environment.
- Secured the largest municipal bond proposition dedicated to parks in the United States — a $345 million investment in parks, trails, and green spaces.
- Increased city funding for Parks, Trails, & the Environment by $107 million, raising it from $628 million in FY22–23 to $735 million in the current fiscal year.
- Secured additional park investments, both private and public, including an $80 million federal grant, with $45 million going toward Southern Gateway Park and Klyde Warren Park.
- Five new locations for neighborhood parks were identified by Dallas Greening Czar Garrett Boone.
- Continue to build up Dallas’ parks system to be the best municipal park system in America.
Property Tax Relief
- Decreased Dallas’ property tax rate for the eighth year in a row.
- Dallas now has its lowest tax rate since 2007, more than four cents lower than in 2018.
- Raised the senior/disabled homestead exemption to $139,400 from $115,500 the previous year, marking a 55% increase from the $90,000 exemption Dallas had in 2018.
- Fought for even more significant property tax reductions and voted against two budgets for failing to provide more tax relief.
- Continue to publicly advocate for property tax relief for residents.
Dallas continues to strive for the lowest property tax rate in North Texas. However, achieving lower taxes requires support from the Dallas City Council. In August, the Council will begin budget deliberations for the upcoming fiscal year. To lower your property tax bill, it’s crucial to reach out to your council member and advocate for a reduced tax rate before their vote in September. By working together, Dallas can continue to decrease its tax rate and enhance its attractiveness to businesses and residents alike.
Summer Camps Galore
This summer, Dallas invites kids and teens to join an exciting array of fun and educational camps as part of the third annual Summer of Safety campaign.
The Dallas Park and Recreation Department is rolling out weeklong day camps for children ages 5–12 at recreation centers across the city until August 2. These camps provide kids with opportunities to learn and play in a safe environment with games, sports clinics, arts and crafts, fitness lessons, cultural enrichment classes, field trips, and more!
Older kids can join Teen Camps, which give youth ages 13–15 opportunities to stay engaged and have fun in a safe environment. In addition to sports clinics and art classes, teens can also attend STEM-based field trips and give back to their community through service projects.
Online registration closes at noon the Friday before each camp starts, but limited spots are available, so sign up today!
For more venturesome kids, the Outdoor Adventure Camp is unbeatable. Children ages 7–15 can explore kayaking, mountain biking, archery, fishing, and survival skills, with field trips to thrilling sites in and around Dallas. Counselor-in-Training positions are also available for teens ages 16–17 who want to have fun while developing leadership skills!
Each session of the Outdoor Adventure Camp lasts about a week, and online registration closes at 3:00 p.m. the Friday before the camp begins. Several sessions are already full, so register now before spaces run out!
And summer camps are not the only youth activities Dallas has this summer. Here, you can explore a full list of Summer of Safety programming, ranging from boxing lessons with Dallas police officers to the ever-popular Teen All Access Pass!
Lastly, to all fathers and father figures, Happy Father’s Day!
Have a wonderful week! And Go Mavs!
