Commissioners pull funding item for The Bridge after questioning net decrease in city pass-throughs

Dallas County commissioners on Oct. 21 pulled for two weeks a consent-item funding package affecting The Bridge homeless services after questions about the net effect of City of Dallas allocations. The discussion centered on apparent increases in particular city line items (management contract and a pay-to-stay contribution) while several pass-through items that previously went to the shelter's operations appeared reduced.

Commissioner Sumnerman (pulled item) said the net result, after reviewing the multiple line items, is that "the bridge is actually going to get less dollars this year than last." He asked county staff to meet with City of Dallas officials and to include Bridge leadership, especially the shelter's finance staff, in the follow-up calls so the county can track where services and pass-throughs moved.

County staff acknowledged some line items had shifted, said some prior one-time infrastructure funds were spent, and agreed to set a interagency meeting with Bridge leadership and city staff. Commissioners stressed that if the City of Dallas intends to reduce service dollars to a shelter, the county should be made aware and alternative partners explored; they also said location decisions for shelter services should match where unhoused people congregate.

The item was pulled for two weeks pending the interagency review. Commissioners said they support The Bridge and requested that the city and shelter executives be included in the county's review so funding and location decisions are clarified before the court approves county disbursements.