08/10/2026
The Dallas City Council is trying to strip accountability out of nearly $1 billion in NEW DEBT, and they’re trying to hide it from the people.
On August 3rd, a Finance Committee item — placed on the agenda by the City Manager, not the committee chair — would strike the supermajority requirement for council votes on municipal buildings. That protection exists so decisions this big can’t be pushed through by a bare majority. They’re trying to remove it in the middle of the fight over whether to sell or redevelop City Hall itself.
Meanwhile, the “training center” bond has grown from $140 million in 2021 to $441 million more, bundled into one vote with pension bonds, a new 911 center, and an evidence facility, so residents can’t weigh in on any single piece. The call to send it to November was made at 11:30 PM with the mayor absent for the roll call.
And where’s this money going? Straight into an already-bloated public safety budget while Dallas faces a $51 million shortfall, a hiring freeze, and the city is actively discussing cuts to libraries and parks & rec in this same budget cycle.
Dallas City Council keeps making billion-dollar decisions in briefings and late-night votes instead of in the open while telling residents there isn’t money for the things that actually make neighborhoods safer.
We can still fight back.
📍 City Council Chambers, 1500 Marilla St
🗓️ August 12, 9:00 AM, in person or online
🎤 Sign up to speak or call/email your rep: https://bit.ly/4wh220H
Show up. Speak up. Make the call.
ParksNotPolice
