[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6587089,"mediaKeyId","5689721-caf959520fc943197527b3b6102345f2","parentId",5689721,"title","Dallas council sets tax-rate ceiling after heated debate over cuts and services","audioSeconds",2644,"startMs",8276000,"endMs",10920000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5689721-caf959520fc943197527b3b6102345f2&start=8276&end=10920","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5689721-caf959520fc943197527b3b6102345f2/thumbnail_8276000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6587089/Dallas/Dallas-County/Texas/Dallas-council-sets-tax-rate-ceiling-after-heated-debate-over-cuts-and-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587089-c85fd2830acda6d0efb04c4221818930/orig.mp4?Expires=1770396787&Signature=T~jIC4eaGkECbeSaahJLAmbwR3iYSl2u6m2kwHffG6ZVjlrZkjALD47rVeoHpqDR7-Sx52-WzVQjKYS6fWfzvjfXuKNjOcmMOIeNLRLGOH4bLfhPzN9CRDLV7vpryMjcoQpxDi9JsCYPGt5~muR6X88WQYYPnHUkWQhG2B8Lm~9I3g8s4XUBH9SuAIuDpRWzdiadWs7Z4kFN~3Gi8KWSl06fLzES9zpZ94bJIZr~77-c2XOcnzf1BmqkI41eUzafyvUBJUorVA7oxK8kSMF~iIwLjOIc0s5CCgusS9SgGWvqZP86252JtPL-S89KTsy2nx~pwhnpDjLAQM7IJnXE7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dallas","date","2025-08-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Dallas City Council set a ceiling for next year’s property tax rate on Aug. 27 after hours of debate over whether to hold the line at the city manager’s proposed rate or preserve more revenue to avoid deep cuts to services.

Councilmember Paul Basildua moved to keep the maintenance-and-operations (M&O) rate at 51.09 cents per $100 of value — the current year’s level — while adopting the city manager’s recommended 0.1913 debt-service rate, for a combined total tax rate of $0.7022 per $100. The motion passed on roll call, 10–5.

The vote follows a failed effort by Councilwoman Kara Mendelson to adopt a “no-new-revenue” ceiling (0.673196 total), which she said would protect taxpayers from higher bills tied to rising property appraisals. That amendment failed 13–2 on a roll call, and Mendelson later renewed her push in debate before the council rejected it.

Why it matters: The ceiling adopted on Aug. 27 is not the final tax rate but caps what the council may adopt on the Sept. 17 final vote. City staff and council members said the choice matters because it determines whether roughly $30.5 million must be cut from the manager’s recommended FY2026 operating budget and which programs would be affected.

What supporters said: Basildua and other proponents of the motion argued the city still reduces the total tax rate compared with recent years and that restoring the quarter‑cent to M&O gives elected officials flexibility to avoid cuts to libraries, street maintenance and other local services. Councilmember Basildua said his motion was intended to preserve an option to restore targeted spending without adopting a higher tax rate permanently.

What opponents said: Mendelson and other critics said restoring revenue now would lock the council into a higher ceiling before the public and council had heard remaining town halls and budget amendment proposals. She and other opponents argued staff already proposed a budget that reduced the overall tax burden and that cutting $30.5 million would force programmatic changes the public would not support — for example, reducing planned police hires, cutting library hours, delaying pool and park maintenance, or accelerating library and pool closures.

Staff explanation and trade-offs: Chief Financial Officer Jack Ireland and Budget Director Jeanette Weeden told the council the city manager’s recommended budget lowers the overall rate by a quarter‑cent on debt service and proposed savings elsewhere. Weeden said the no‑new‑revenue scenario prepared by staff identifies about $30,472,942 in reductions that could achieve the lower ceiling, but those savings come from a mix of items the manager identified as priorities, including delaying some street and facility maintenance, reducing police hiring by roughly 50 officers compared with the manager’s recommended hiring level, changing planned merit increases and pausing some partner grants.

Public comment and context: Council chambers heard multiple speakers during public comment urging different priorities: some urged preserving libraries and maintaining branch operations, others pressed for infrastructure and public safety funding. Several council members said town halls and constituent input remained underway and that the Sept. 17 vote will be the time to finalize tradeoffs.

Formal action: The council adopted a motion to set the public hearing and tax-rate ceiling at a total rate of $0.7022 per $100 valuation (M&O 0.5109; debt-service 0.1913). The ceiling may be reduced but not increased before the final Sept. 17 adoption.

Ending: Councilmembers said they expect vigorous budget amendments during upcoming workshops; the Aug. 27 ceiling keeps multiple options open while underscoring the difficult trade-offs the council must finalize next month.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dallas - City Council Agenda Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","The Dallas City Council set a tax-rate ceiling on Aug. 27 that restores a quarter‑cent to the maintenance-and-operations rate while retaining a manager-proposed reduction in the debt-service rate, preserving roughly $5.5 million of annual revenue available to councilmembers as they finalize the fiscal year 2026 budget.","taxTitle","Dallas, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2781,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587070,"Residents urge council to preserve libraries and reopen Skillman Southwestern during budget process",7683,237000,7920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5689721-caf959520fc943197527b3b6102345f2&start=237&end=7920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5689721-caf959520fc943197527b3b6102345f2/thumbnail_237000.jpg","/articles/6587070/Dallas/Dallas-County/Texas/Residents-urge-council-to-preserve-libraries-and-reopen-Skillman-Southwestern-during-budget-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587070-ad6a12ba930fa42bae75d28970da6147/orig.mp4?Expires=1770396787&Signature=Eg1DByimNTY06aAqRQ-1ONT3bvYQBYFUqkeIPcxJkjBtmUKJYIS6jBh6Sui1ONi7xhRmEuR-j2R5a4-mxtTlot2OnJhaGVvGDb9~opWdbzY0IGdGvAhgJgh-5k1rzl3ueVc24YYoxmh7fPmPiGUs2DLdG7KUJAiGu8K9H2h5gKcBFf0NCh1~oyTAy6JkBCYpEfBU2VJGMB7FdOhboy6gtRNS~huuxz3O30KIBcrhrGzd84o25vovJLZgnL6v7HXIDz2fHTXlWs-B9kvinqvIlxsnJlpXRGFhRMqD1ERGpMcWu8Y8wXYBp9X~dRJcWYLMNV1mlfgFPVWLcbW6NJey4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents told the Dallas City Council on Aug. 27 that libraries are essential neighborhood anchors and urged the council to preserve funding for branch operations and reopen Skillman Southwestern, which speakers said had been threatened by recent budget proposals.

Public testimony: Caitlin Dolan, a resident who said she cares for neighbors at Skillman Southwestern, described the library as “a moving, beating heart of my neighborhood” and asked council members to “see the cat on the roof, the kids at the tables” when they consider the numbers. Dolan told the council that closing the branch would be “a loss of safety, a loss of opportunity, a loss of community.”

Other speakers emphasized related city services: Friends and volunteers said city libraries provide internet access, homework help, senior programming and workforce resources. Multiple speakers emphasized that library funding cuts have long-term effects and that some service reductions from 2010 took nearly a decade to restore.

Key requests and context: Several speakers urged the council to maintain funding for all libraries and to keep Skillman Southwestern open. One speaker asked the council to protect branch operations in this budget cycle and to avoid one‑time cuts that would permanently close service points; another speaker urged allocation of funds to free spay-and-neuter programs for the municipal animal-services budget.

How council framed the issue: Councilmembers repeatedly cited competing priorities in the budget debate — police hiring, streets, parks, and pension funding — while saying they would weigh public input. The city manager and budget staff told the council that the proposed budget included difficult trade-offs; the tax-rate ceiling debate that day determined whether roughly $30.5 million in reductions would be required, a level that staff said included options such as slowing library restorations.

Ending: Library advocates said they will continue to press the council during budget workshops and urged councilmembers to preserve local branch operations during FY2026 budget decisions.","Multiple public speakers told the Dallas City Council on Aug. 27 that libraries are vital neighborhood resources and urged the council to avoid closing branches, including Skillman Southwestern. Speakers linked branch closures to lost community services and urged reallocating funds and prioritizing library operations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587076,"Council authorizes owner‑controlled insurance program for convention center rebuild; $58.8 million in premiums funded from interim notes",380,9000000,9380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5689721-caf959520fc943197527b3b6102345f2&start=9000&end=9380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5689721-caf959520fc943197527b3b6102345f2/thumbnail_9000000.jpg","/articles/6587076/Dallas/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-authorizes-ownercontrolled-insurance-program-for-convention-center-rebuild-588-million-in-premiums-funded-from-interim-notes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587076-7926a1801bb6cae3997f14ede60043c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770396787&Signature=gajnfMfUIQGuuVhUEInez0m~m-IkQnAzI38kVaOZfDyoVK8GlSZBao0Qe3vPcsi01q~V2R9LgU0agrcRrdzorjuCyk-J-HBHyKtWWFtGe~jNFgG~ALB6HLU-56lI4dnhNSbKSCTC9h-b4BIj8pK9rZFYJ3HPRICBc-2Opxz6dqWkxnxZhK~oEc-hUTQMc2KzgKHCIMfBwNdr2yjqbFSiE7jt8avlDLnV0qgUdkbp7NevIU0c0UqqOBITqifecU8GnUY3~1NNUnMLFyiwZTCLYJ7jxFhRRO4YaBGVnfS9TukqelSESwyXMzrD896eFdWVXj4orKbP~figgKrDG4NRQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dallas City Council on Aug. 27 authorized the city’s owner‑controlled insurance program (OCIP/R‑OCIP) broker to purchase construction‑period insurance covering the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center renovation and expansion and authorized up to $58,760,667 in interim financing for that purpose.

What the council approved: The city’s Office of Risk Management recommended centralizing insurance that would otherwise be purchased separately by contractors. The resolution approves Marsh USA LLC (the city’s OCIP/R‑OCIP broker of record) to secure lines of coverage that include commercial general and excess liability, workers’ compensation (statutory), contractors’ pollution liability, railroad protective liability (as needed), owner’s protective professional indemnity, and builders’ risk. The staff estimate in the memo presented to council put the premium/insurance program cost at roughly $36.3 million with additional related costs and contingencies bringing the authorization to approximately $58.76 million for the construction period.

Why centralize coverage: Risk management staff told council the OCIP approach typically increases market access and bargaining power, allowing the city to obtain broader limits at more favorable pricing than if individual contractors were required to market and purchase similar limits separately. Staff also said centralizing coverage can expand contractor competition by eliminating high insurance‑qualification barriers for smaller contractors.

Coverage highlights staff cited: staff and the broker described target program limits including $320 million in liability/excess limits, $50 million contractors’ pollution coverage, owner’s protective professional indemnity limits of $25 million, and builders’ risk tied to the project’s construction value (approximately $3.3–$3.5 billion as described in staff comments).

Funding: Council authorized an appropriation of up to $58,760,667 from the city’s interim financing for the convention center project (the city previously approved a bridge loan for construction financing). Risk Management said the insurance program cost will be incorporated into the project financing plan and ultimately be funded as part of the project’s capital financing structure.

Vote and next steps: The council approved the insurance authorization without a recorded roll call. Staff will direct the broker to bind policies consistent with the limits and terms authorized and will manage program implementation and claims oversight during construction.

Ending: Council members said centralized insurance would help expand competition among contractors, control total project risk, and support the city’s long‑term capital plan for the convention center reconstruction.","The council approved an owner‑controlled insurance program and authorized up to $58.76 million from interim financing to buy multi‑line construction insurance for the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center renovation and expansion project.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587081,"Council remands Plan Commission rules for further consideration of remote attendance and committee membership",1020,1380000,2400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5689721-caf959520fc943197527b3b6102345f2&start=1380&end=2400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5689721-caf959520fc943197527b3b6102345f2/thumbnail_1380000.jpg","/articles/6587081/Dallas/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-remands-Plan-Commission-rules-for-further-consideration-of-remote-attendance-and-committee-membership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587081-b0cd9400b318e30b53422abcf6573a4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770396787&Signature=f14w5Zwoj~R3ml0udjYR1ifAB1gSwFFDUDhz46DFDUvtwuYKJl3Smo8C4GQ2Tlm6vjKYKH8KYRoz3Mos3t9tsZHhhQMVeGkXK7je1j2ePDb4mb8iCUMVkWsuprkZ3ukq9RroVMRElGJpEH4zhh~2z8iHfF0gbXqx6UMKayChRH5p1vTpm0Tgsz8heaB0zHE03BFF3zzm~kpLNtzkMikd36z9NX0FH03bF1uATlF-2JZfBQ32fU5WXRjN7LvuiA3Vt5XhTG9bcp4Yc9CJS02h0u53g0vurOcP5jaoEwGMEKCRl8ezipUQNQjv4rVzpKxryDKVR~XFdJYTorIxVAnoYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dallas City Council voted on Aug. 27 to send the Plan Commission’s proposed updates to its rules of procedure back to the commission for further consideration of three specific items: (1) limiting virtual attendance for quorum purposes while preserving limited remote access exceptions; (2) adding measures to discourage or manage last‑minute developer changes to cases after staff recommendations are finalized; and (3) encouraging broader geographic representation in standing-committee appointments.

Background: The Plan Commission had prepared a package of updates intended to make its procedures more consistent with Robert’s Rules and the Texas Open Meetings Act, including clarifying virtual participation rules. Following public and council member concern about allowing quorum counting of virtual participants, councilmember Paul Ridley moved to approve the proposed rule changes but to remand a subset of items back to the Plan Commission for further work and specific recommendations.

Council discussion: Ridley said he supported most of the Plan Commission’s changes but asked the commission to reconsider language allowing a quorum made up of members attending virtually, arguing that the public’s impression matters and that important zoning decisions should have live members present. He also asked that the commission propose ways to discourage developers from submitting last‑minute plan changes after staff has finalized recommendations, and to consider committee member appointments that better reflect the city’s geographic diversity.

Support and amendments: Councilmember Kara Mendelson said she supported the remand and emphasized the need for flexibility for volunteers who serve on the commission, including those from farther districts who may need occasional remote access. Councilmember Laurie Blair said she needed more time to review the proposed language but appreciated the Plan Commission’s work.

Outcome: The council adopted an amended motion approving most of the Plan Commission’s changes while remanding sections 5(l) (virtual quorum), 5(m) (last‑minute developer changes), and 13(e)(2) (committee representation) back to the Plan Commission to consider alternative language. The council indicated the Plan Commission could recommend exceptions for long‑term illness and consider procedures for limiting last‑minute developer amendments.

Next steps: The Plan Commission will revisit the three remanded items and return recommendations to the council for final adoption of the rules.","Dallas City Council approved a remand to the City Plan Commission asking it to reconsider three specific items in its proposed rules of procedure: remote participation/quorum language, a mechanism to limit late developer changes, and membership balance on standing committees.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587085,"Council approves incentive package and tax zone for Scotiabank regional office in Victory Park",660,3120000,3780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5689721-caf959520fc943197527b3b6102345f2&start=3120&end=3780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5689721-caf959520fc943197527b3b6102345f2/thumbnail_3120000.jpg","/articles/6587085/Dallas/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-approves-incentive-package-and-tax-zone-for-Scotiabank-regional-office-in-Victory-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587085-36d03acdacd61e4a87bf95f3ae59c734/orig.mp4?Expires=1770396787&Signature=UyZ8Qc2dNM-35J1NHO4Pcl7lPM2Gx9QckSYAFn4xde8U81LiMdeKC3CWB2dDWHuByElOs58lkrrKcoyBp0OYHCMDl3Srt6sVSQXMG7LWZ2YSxEZjzBdswEuCWUfcOD5b0vn5H8uDrRaKhqgwxujUt0goK-cHXGL-9cqDETvHp-IqcVu49J03mHrA5HiLgFeYCLxj7sRuxvXRpPJY90cMa5T8Y4RNrwkXxozbKjqstw~48acNA6JpFNdo5PcnL0qfBSYROhlZxekT~le3GtLhmcjOwwNOwWqndL1WqwE14KXML~Jw72arUsybRHHkoin4r1UrIo3x9QajxQU3A7vgqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dallas City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 27 to attract Scotiabank’s new regional office by creating a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ No. 23) and approving an incentive package that includes a business personal property (BPP) tax abatement and up to $2.7 million in economic development grants and fees.

Under the approved package, the city will: designate roughly 2.9 acres at 2601 Victory Avenue as NEZ No. 23, grant a BPP tax abatement for 10 years equal to city taxes assessed on 90% of the added value of qualifying business personal property, and approve a chapter 380-style economic development grant of up to $2.7 million (up to $2.5 million for job relocation or creation incentives, and up to $200,000 to cover expediting and soft costs). The city will also nominate the Scotiabank project for state enterprise-zone designation.

Why it matters: City leaders described the agreement as a major corporate relocation expected to bring more than 1,000 jobs to Dallas, with a stated objective that at least 25% and up to 40% of those jobs be filled by Dallas residents. Council members said such corporate relocations increase the local tax base and help support city services without raising property taxes.

Council discussion: Councilmember Chad West, who moved the item, called the potential relocation “a huge win” for the city and highlighted workforce-development partnerships embedded in the package, including agreements with Dallas College, Paul Quinn College and the University of North Texas at Dallas. Other council members praised the economic development team, city staff and private partners for closing the deal.

Vote and record: The council approved the item by roll call; all 15 council members voted in favor.

Funding and oversight: The $2.7 million in grants will be subject to the city’s economic development and incentive policy and will be paid from the city’s economic development funds in accordance with contract terms and performance commitments. The NEZ designation and grant agreements include reporting and workforce development provisions described in the staff memo.

Ending: Council members framed the measure as an effort to increase local jobs, expand the corporate tax base, and position Dallas to attract further financial‑services employers.","Dallas City Council unanimously approved incentives including a BPP abatement and up to $2.7 million in grants and fees to secure Scotiabank’s new regional office at 2601 Victory Avenue and designated a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone as NEZ #23.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dallas council sets tax-rate ceiling after heated debate over cuts and services

Residents urge council to preserve libraries and reopen Skillman Southwestern during budget process

Council authorizes owner‑controlled insurance program for convention center rebuild; $58.8 million in premiums funded from interim notes

Council remands Plan Commission rules for further consideration of remote attendance and committee membership

Council approves incentive package and tax zone for Scotiabank regional office in Victory Park