Dallas City Manager Releases Proposed Budget for FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28
DALLAS - Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert released the proposed balanced biennial budget for FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 to the Mayor and City Council today, Friday, August 7. This year's budget is focused on Investing for the Future.
The Fiscal Year 2026-27 total operating and capital budget totals $5.66 billion compared to the total budget for the current year which totals $5.20 billion. Of that total, the General Fund is $2.04 billion, representing an additional $80.2 million, or 4.1% more than last year - with nearly all of the growth directed to the Dallas Police Department and Dallas Fire-Rescue budgets. According to a Dallas community survey, street and infrastructure improvements and police service are the top priorities for Dallas residents.
For the 11th consecutive year, the City will reduce the property tax rate by 0.1¢ from 69.88¢ to 69.78¢ per $100 valuation. Since the FY 2015-16 budget year, Dallas' tax rate has decreased 9.92 cents or 12.44%. In addition, the city offers a 20% homestead exemption and a $175,000 exemption for residents aged 65 and over or living with a disability. Combined, these exemptions provide substantial relief: a qualifying senior or disabled homeowner with a residence valued at $218,750 or less will owe no City property taxes.
"This budget is about more than balancing the numbers, it's about building the future of Dallas," said City Manager Kimberly Tolbert. "Our team identified efficiencies, leveraged technology, and strengthened partnerships to maximize resources and ensure taxpayer dollars are invested where they achieve the greatest results," Tolbert said.
"We also continued the second phase of our priority-based budgeting approach by aligning investments with the priorities identified by residents through our annual Community Survey and aligned those insights with direction from the City Council. By listening to our residents and making thoughtful, strategic decisions, we are protecting the services people value most while positioning Dallas to be stronger financially, more efficient operationally, and better prepared for the opportunities ahead," Tolbert added.
Budget Highlights:
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Continue strengthening police staffing by achieving a sworn staffing level of 3,651 by the end of FY 2026-27 and 3,800 by the end of FY 2027-28
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Deliver market-based pay and step increases for police and fire personnel in alignment with the market-based pay philosophy of Meet and Confer and enhance entry-level compensation to ensure Dallas remains a regional leader
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Improve DPD efficiency by modernizing legacy systems, deploying AI body cameras and drone first responders to reduce response times and increase capacity, and leveraging Federal funding to support crime reduction
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Strengthen library services by launching five flagship locations, ensuring every Dallas resident is within a 15-minute drive of a library, and realigning operating hours to better match resources with community demand
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Expand housing opportunities through public-private partnerships that increase production, preserve affordable units, support homeownership, and strengthen homelessness services
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Create a fiscally sustainable park system by diversifying revenue sources and reviewing underutilized fees to reduce reliance on the General Fund while maintaining community access
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Invest in continued Sanitation service modernization through tiered residential rates, targeted alley-to-curb transitions, AI-enabled insight technology, and ongoing improvements in staffing, fleet utilization, and route management to enhance safety, reliability, and long-term cost efficiency
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Maintain and improve 800 lane miles in FY 2026-27 with $142.8 million in funding, an increase from 759 lane miles in FY 2025-26
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Improve roadway safety and strengthen Dallas' transportation network by enhancing pavement markings, increasing bridge maintenance, delivering warranted signal projects, and advancing Vision Zero efforts to enhance operational safety on our roadway network by reducing severe crashes and fatalities
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Implement citywide efficiencies through targeted reductions, program consolidation, and operational streamlining that redirect limited resources toward core services
To learn more about the budget, visit dal.city/CODBudget
Budget Town Hall Meetings
The city is asking for feedback from residents about the proposed budget. Dallas City Council Members will hold Budget Town Hall Meetings in the month of August, both virtual and in-person. The full schedule of meetings and more information about how to participate are available at dal.city/dallasbudgettownhall.
If you plan to attend one of the in-person meetings, please check the event calendar the day of and follow your Council Member's social media channels for changes or updates.
Budget 101 Animated Videos
As crucial as a city budget is when it comes to providing basic services to residents, it can be a bit intimidating. The terminology, big numbers, and all the charts and graphs can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. The city produced three short, animated videos in English and Spanish that explain the budget in its simplest form. The videos will be accessible here, including language access and closed caption options: bit.ly/cityofdallastv and YouTube.com/CityOfDallasCityHall. The topics are:
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Budget 101 - Budgeting Basics
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Budget 101 - Where Does The Money Come From
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Budget 101 - Where Does The Money Go?
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