Dallas furloughs temporarily close libraries, cultural centers
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Dallas' public libraries, cultural centers and code compliance offices are closed Friday while the city furloughs thousands of employees to address a budget shortfall.
Why it matters: Furloughs are a rarely used cost-saving measure in the public and private sectors because they can disrupt operations while forcing employees to bear the cost and inconvenience of unpaid leave.
Catch up quick: Dallas is trying to plug a projected $25 million funding gap for the current fiscal year, which ends in September.
- City officials workshopped spending cuts for months before announcing furloughs in late June.
- "Furloughs are not our preferred solution; however, they enable us to reduce expenses, protect jobs and employee health benefits, and continue delivering services to our residents," Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, whose office manages the budget, said in a statement.
- The furloughs do not apply to Dallas employees in essential areas such as emergency services, aviation, 311 and sanitation, which the city says will continue operating as usual.
How it works: Non-uniformed employees whose jobs are funded by Dallas' general fund will be required to take unpaid leave on Friday, Sept. 4 and Sept. 28. Some executives will also be required to take two more floating furlough days before Sept. 16.
- City Hall will be closed to the public on Friday, along with Dallas Water Utilities' customer service lobby and three of the city's cultural centers.
- Employees in animal services, aquatics, golf courses, recreation centers, municipal services, WIC clinics, municipal court services and the Bath House Cultural Center will take their first furlough day on a different day.
- The full list of closures and modifications is here.
Friction point: While Tolbert has said the furloughs are key to closing the budget gap, some council members disagree with her approach and say they should have had the opportunity to weigh in on the decision.
- "This news is incredibly frustrating, as no matter the budget issues encountered, cutting workers' pay should be the last resort we default to," Council Member Adam Bazaldua said in a statement after the furloughs were announced.
Flashback: Dallas last imposed furloughs in 2020, requiring 472 employees to go on leave for roughly two-and-a-half months.
- That budget shortfall was fueled by a drop in sales tax revenue amid the COVID pandemic.