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 made spending cuts for the new fiscal year to address shrinking revenues and large deficits.

State of play: The $5.2 billion 2025–26 Dallas 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 budget calls for closing three pools within the next year as part of a move to invest in newer aquatic facilities.
• The budget also 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.

Dallas' public libraries may operate differently in the future, as the city looks to consolidate its sprawling library system and transition to a more regional model.

Why it matters: The city wants to save money and streamline its library services, with strategically located regional branches that are supported by satellite locations.

• Critics of the plan say they would like to see the city invest more in its libraries, not less.

The latest: The city closed the library's Skillman Southwestern branch in late September. The staff, books, computers and furniture will be sent to other locations.

• The library system is now tasked with identifying more cost-saving measures. Up to four more branches could close, which the city projects could save $2.6 million.

The big picture: Dallas plans to spend $43 million on its 29-location library system in 2025-26.

• By contrast, San Antonio planned to spend almost $55 million on library services in the 2025 fiscal year, which included expanding its collection of books.
• Chicago has a much larger library system, spanning 81 locations. The city plans to spend $122 million on its libraries, per its latest budget forecast.

Between the lines: Libraries are third spaces for children and adults and offer respite from harsh weather, says Sarah Evans, advocacy chair of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library.

• "What's special about our library system is it is equitably distributed throughout the city," Evans tells Axios. Consolidating libraries, she says, may cut library access for residents who don't own a car.

Repercussions

Outside still feels like summer, but hockey season is back, signaling winter is coming someday.

Why it matters: The Dallas Stars have been to the Western Conference finals for the past three seasons but fell short each year of making it to the Stanley Cup Final.

• The team starts the season with a new coach who was part of the team that kept the Stars from making it to the cup finals the past two years.

The latest: The Stars were 5-1 in the preseason and open the regular season tonight in Winnipeg, Canada.

Zoom in: Glen Gulutzan, the new head coach, was previously an assistant coach for the Edmonton Oilers, who beat the Stars in the last two Western Conference finals.

• He was the Stars head coach for two years but was fired in 2013 after general manager Jim Nill took over the team.
• Gulutzan said Nill made the right decision. He needed to get more experience before returning to Dallas.

Who to watch: The Stars offense will be centered around winger Mikko Rantanen, who was acquired in March on an eight-year contract.

• Rantanen was key to getting the Stars to the Western Conference Final.

What's next: The game starts at 7pm and will be broadcast on ESPN+ and streamed for free on Victory+.

💰 Texas has hired a technology and finance company to help develop the state's school voucher program. (Texas Tribune)

🤑 The NFL has fined billionaire Jerry Jones $250,000 for flipping off fans during Sunday's Cowboys win. Jones said the gesture was "inadvertent." (CNN)

⛳ The McKinney City Council approved a resolution to keep the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in the city through 2030. (Star Local Media)

🎤 Double shot of whiskey. Shaboozey is performing at Billy Bob's Texas for the first time.

• Doors open at 6pm. Shaboozey performs at 9pm tonight. $25 general admission.

🛍️ Buy presents. The Junior League of Fort Worth is hosting the Christmas in Cowtown market.

• Noon-7pm today, 9am-7pm Friday and Saturday, and 10am-4pm Sunday at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. Entry is $19.

🎺 Revel in rhythm. The Dallas Museum of Art is hosting Jazz at the Museum with the Reveler's Hall band performing. A full bar is open.

• 6-9pm Friday. General admission is $62 and $38 for museum members.

🎭 Know things now. The Family Music Theatre is performing "Into The Woods" this month. The Stephen Sondheim musical follows a story featuring fairy tale characters, including Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood.

• 7:30pm Fridays and 1:30pm and 7:30pm Saturdays through Oct. 25 at New Vida Center. $22 for adult tickets and $16 for children.