Dallas closes library and pools, shifting money to public safety
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Dallas city leaders have shuttered a library and cut city staff and are planning to close three community pools to shift millions of dollars toward public safety.
Why it matters: A charter amendment narrowly approved by Dallas voters last year requires the city to employ at least 4,000 police officers and allocate at least half of excess revenue every year into police and fire pensions.
- The amendment, opposed by police officials and former mayors, complicated the planning for this year's budget, which took effect this month.
The big picture: Several North Texas cities had to make spending cuts for the new fiscal year to address shrinking revenues and large deficits.
- Dallas' new $5.2 billion budget prioritizes innovation, efficient government and economic growth, city manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert said in a news release.
State of play: The 2025–26 budget includes money for bike lanes, road improvements, new sidewalks and a minimum wage increase from $19.25 to $21.50 for city employees.
- The new budget decreased the property tax rate by 0.5 cents per $100 valuation. The property tax exemption for older or disabled residents was increased to $175,000 from $153,400.
Reality check: A property tax rate reduction doesn't always mean residents will pay less. The average taxable value increased by 9.9% for Dallas homes from 2024 to 2025, per the Dallas Central Appraisal District.
- The city also increased many residential fees. A typical Dallas resident will see their monthly water and wastewater bill increase from $73.49 to $77.20, per city documents.
Between the lines: Increases in public safety funding and the tax rate reduction resulted in cuts elsewhere.
- The Dallas Library's Skillman Southwestern branch closed in late September despite strong community opposition.
- The city budget also includes plans to close three pools within the next year as part of a move to invest in newer aquatic facilities.
- The budget cut 282 of the city's positions, most of which will be repurposed for police officer hiring and Fair Park operations.
What's next: Dallas County typically mails property tax bills in October.