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City and ISD leaders discuss possible tax‑rate election to stabilize public‑safety pay
Summary
City officials told trustees that competitive police and firefighter pay and a 3.5% revenue‑cap are squeezing the municipal budget; city staff outlined a potential tax‑rate election to fund public‑safety salaries and asked for ISD support in community outreach.
City Manager Melissa Valadez told the joint workshop the City of Cedar Hill is facing a tight labor market for public‑safety personnel and limited revenue growth under the state cap. "We are currently paying police officers $78,550, and they top out over $100,000 in six years," Valadez said, adding that 65% of the city's personnel budget is devoted to police and fire.
Valadez and other officials described the 3.5% revenue‑cap on property tax revenues and said draft projections show recurring gaps that could require a tax‑rate election (TRE) targeted at public safety. Officials emphasized community education and coordination with CHISD ahead of any decision; the mayor said council was only discussing options and had not called a TRE. No formal action was taken and city staff will take direction on outreach and scenario planning.
