Dallas County mulls over an increase in tax rates along with budget cuts as consequences of inflation and funding shortages.
Dallas County Announces Proposed Budget for 2026 Fiscal Year
Dallas County has unveiled its proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year, with a focus on reviewing facilities maintenance and improvements, replacing county vehicles, and addressing homelessness and mental health programs. However, the exact figure for the proposed budget remains undisclosed in the available documents.
While the specifics of the Dallas County budget are yet to be detailed, the City of Dallas has proposed a budget of $5.2 billion for the Fiscal Year 2025-26. This budget includes significant allocations towards technology improvements, police and fire pensions, and other city services. The city's budget addresses inflation pressures through the implementation of Priority Based Budgeting (PBB), aiming to better align resources with priorities amid challenges like a property tax revenue cap and increased pension/personnel expenses.
Commissioner Andy Sommerman and Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins have suggested that the $29 million increase in the budget is primarily due to various reasons, including cost of living salary adjustments worth $17.5 million. Jenkins encourages a thorough review of the budget, comparing the process to a family reviewing their own budget, implying potential for finding unnecessary expenses and beneficial expenditures.
The county's budget staff has presented ways to balance cuts with necessary expenses, which may include a tax rate increase. The proposed tax rate for 2026 is $0.222188 per $100. A public hearing on the proposed tax rate will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 2 at the Records Building in the second floor courtroom, 500 Elm Street in Dallas. The public is invited to provide feedback on the proposed tax rate at this hearing.
Since 2010 and 2011, the county has not thoroughly reviewed each department's expenses and potential cost savings. Jenkins emphasizes the opportunity to conduct a thorough departmental review now. Departments county-wide will be required to submit justifications and metrics and essential travel plans as part of this review process.
No further information about potential cost savings or beneficial expenditures has been disclosed at this time. The county encourages the public to stay informed and provide feedback on the proposed budget as more details become available.
The proposed Dallas County budget for 2026 focuses on various sectors, including maintenance and improvements, homelessness, and mental health programs, which fall under the categories of general-news, business, and politics. In the neighboring city's budget, significant allocations are made towards finance areas such as technology improvements and police pensions (finance). The county's budget proposal does not reveal exact figures yet, but it may include potential cost savings through a departmental review (news).
