Voters must decide whether to issue $1.25 billion worth of bonds to address Dallas' most pressing infrastructure needs.
More than 5,000 projects are being considered in 10 separate proposals, which would require borrowing to fund needs such as potential new road improvements, building repairs, park space, and stormwater management. It is permitted.
Early voting on the bond program began on Monday, April 22nd and ended on April 30th. City Council Election Day is Saturday, May 4, when communities across North Texas will vote on spending projects, charter changes and the selection of local officials.
The bulk of the funding Dallas is requesting, about $512 million, will go toward road improvements such as bridges, highways, sidewalks and bike paths.
Park projects and plans for new recreation centers and playgrounds account for the second-highest allocation, $345 million. Funds are also being spent on a new police academy, library renovations, museums and arts and cultural institutions.
This election will be the fourth bond program Dallas voters have had to consider. All three of his bond programs to date have been approved. Dallas took on debt worth $1.35 billion in 2006, $642 million in 2012, and $1.05 billion in 2017 for capital improvements.
Home prices and property tax bills continue to rise, but city officials said they have no intention of raising property taxes to fund the bond.
At an August 2023 meeting, Jack Ireland, Dallas' top financial officer, said the city has $16 billion worth of unmet infrastructure needs. Some of these facilities have been waiting to be renovated for years.
Late last year, city staff recommended a program that would give $500 million for roads, $250 million for parks and $65 million for housing and homelessness.
Those recommendations differed from those presented by the Community Bonds Task Force, a 15-member group appointed by the mayor and City Council, including five Parks Commission members. Their plan included $375 million for roads and transportation projects, $350 million for parks and recreation, and $25 million for housing and anti-homelessness projects.
Click on the links below to read more about each of the 10 suggestions.
• Proposal A – Roads and Transportation: $521.2 million.
The City Council of the City of Dallas, Texas is authorized to issue $521.2 million in city general obligation bonds for the purpose of planning, designing, constructing, reconstructing, improving, widening, reconfiguring and expanding city streets. mosquito. On-street parking, circulation elements, boulevards, highways, intersections, alleys, medians, sidewalks, bridges, pedestrian and bicycle paths, etc., and land acquisition?
• Proposition B – Parks and Recreation: $345.3 million.
The City Council of Dallas, Texas shall be authorized to issue $345,270,000 of city general obligation bonds for planning, design, construction, improvements, alterations, repairs, replacements, enhancements, expansions, and equipment. . What about the acquisition of parks and recreational facilities and associated land?
• Proposition C – Flood Protection and Stormwater Drainage: $52.1 million.
Authorizes the City Council of the City of Dallas, Texas, to issue $52.1 million in city general obligation bonds to provide funding for flood planning, design, construction, improvements, renovations, repairs, replacements, and expansions. shall be provided. What are the necessary and appropriate protection and stormwater drainage facilities and improvements, erosion control, including relocation of utilities and land acquisition?
• Proposition D – Libraries: $43.5 million.
The City Council of Dallas, Texas, shall be authorized to issue $43,530,000 in city general obligation bonds for the purpose of planning, designing, constructing, improving, altering, repairing, replacing, expanding, and equipping library facilities. , and related land acquisition?
• Proposition E – Cultural Arts Facilities: $75.2 million.
The City Council of Dallas, Texas, shall be authorized to issue $75.2 million in city general obligation bonds for the purpose of planning, designing, constructing, altering, repairing, replacing, improving, expanding, and equipping cultural amenities. What about performing arts facilities and associated land acquisition?
• Proposition F – Public Safety: $90 million.
The City Council of Dallas, Texas, shall be authorized to issue $90,000,000 of city general obligation bonds for public safety planning, design, construction, improvement, renovation, repair, replacement, expansion, and equipment purposes. . Acquisition of facilities including police substations, fire stations, administrative facilities, police and fire training and related facilities, and related land?
• Proposition G – Economic Development: $72.3 million.
The City Council of the City of Dallas, Texas, shall be authorized to issue $72.3 million in city general obligation bonds for the purpose of funding the City's economic development programs pursuant to the City of Dallas Economic Development Incentive Policy. . Including the granting of bond revenue grants and the provision of aid and incentives for commercial, industrial, retail, residential, mixed-use development, other economic development and redevelopment, land acquisition, demolition, and infrastructure development?
• Proposition H – Housing Infrastructure: $26.4 million.
The City Council of the City of Dallas, Texas is authorized to issue $26.4 million in city general obligation bonds for the purpose of providing funding for permanent public improvements, including planning, design, construction, improvements, and renovations. shall be taken as a thing. , repair, replace, and expand the City's affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization efforts, including land acquisition and construction of housing and neighborhood infrastructure to support affordable housing?
• Proposition I – Homelessness: $19 million.
The City Council of Dallas, Texas, shall be authorized to issue municipal general obligation bonds in the aggregate amount of $19,000,000 for the purpose of planning, designing, constructing, altering, repairing, improving, expanding and equipping the city. What is the city's homeless population, including permanent housing, supportive housing, short-term housing, and associated land acquisition?
• Proposition J – Information Technology: $5 million.
Authorizes the City Council of the City of Dallas, Texas, to issue $5,000,000 of city general obligation bonds for the purpose of providing funds for permanent public improvements, including planning, design, construction, improvements, and renovations. shall be. , repair, replacement, expansion, and equipping of information technology facilities, including related land acquisition?
