Wednesday, August 23, 2023 | |
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If you’re reading this now, you likely already understand how important it is to follow the meetings, votes, and policy proposals occurring at Dallas City Hall. Now, more than ever, I encourage you to pay attention and show up in person or virtually to advocate for what’s important to you. Why? Because of this line-up of important topics:
City of Dallas Budget 2023-2024: Like many of you, I have personally experienced unprecedented tax rate increases on my residential and commercial properties pursuant to the Dallas County Appraisal District valuations. Mayor Johnson has proposed a “no new revenue” tax rate for the City’s portion of our tax bill (we can’t control what DISD or the County does with their portions). If this proposal is adopted, then the City would function in 2023-24 at the same budget that it did for 2022-23. Another Councilmember has proposed a modified version of the “no new revenue” tax rate. I have received dozens of emails from District 1 residents asking me to support this proposal, and an equal number questioning whether the city can sustain city services considering population growth, inflation, and commitments to police/fire raises and recruitment and retention goals under the proposal. When I met with the Mayor, I told him that in concept, I support his proposal, but I want to understand the impact on police, fire, code enforcement, park maintenance, and road/sidewalk repairs, among other services, before jumping in head first. I also believe that the City can give greater property tax relief to taxpayers if it either leases or sells the hundreds of acres of unused or underutilized properties in Dallas. As we move towards passing the budget and adopting a tax rate, I encourage you to watch the city discussions online and through traditional print and televised media and avoid the 30-second blurbs on social media and text message campaigns, as they rarely include enough detail to fully inform. As always, I welcome your input. The budget timeline is below.
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Dallas Bond 2024: The discussions regarding the upcoming bond are ongoing, and advocates for improvements to recreation centers and libraries, and reconstruction of neighborhood-specific sidewalks and streets and appearing in person to advocate at the Bond Task Force Subcommittees. If you are concerned about your road, alley, sidewalk, local park, trail, library, or fire station, I encourage you to show up and speak up. For the schedule, and additional information on the bond program, click here.
Dallas City Council Committees 2023-25: The Mayor recently appointed Councilmembers to various committees. I’m honored to report that he appointed me to Chair the Government Performance & Financial Responsibility Committee – in this role, I plan to dig deeply into the stagnant activation of the city-owned assets mentioned above and to continue my past efforts to improve efficiencies in the permit office. If you have recommendations for audits of city departments, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. The complete list of committees in which I will serve on are:
- Government Performance & Financial Responsibility – Chair
- Economic Development
- Parks, Trails, and the Environment
- Housing & Homelessness Solutions
- Ad Hoc Committee on Judicial Nominations
- Ad Hoc Committee on Pensions
Departure of Ashley Long: It is with mixed emotions that we are saying goodbye to Ashley Long, who has served as Council Assistant for the last four years, and who is taking a promotion in the District 14 office, working with my colleague and friend, Councilmember Paul Ridley. Ashley is an incredibly hard worker and passionate about good governance and a well-run city, and I look forward to working with her and the District 14 Council team
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Thoughtful Urban Planning: Recently, I visited Clarke’s Oyster Bar in Austin (which I encourage you to try if you like seafood!) and saw how the owners preserved the 1930’s-era structure and managed to fill the restaurant and service staff with minimal (6 spaces plus handicapped) parking. Take a look at my video. It’s time for Dallas to reconsider our 1965-era parking code.
As always, I welcome your feedback.
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Until we find Ashley's replacement, don't hesitate to reach out to Ever Amaya if you need anything:
Ever Amaya - [email protected]
Thank you for continuing to be engaged!
Chad
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Strategic Plan for Historic and Cultural Preservation
The City’s Department of Planning and Urban Design is working on a Strategic Plan for Historic and Cultural Preservation. What is historic preservation? Historic preservation is the practice of identifying, protecting, and celebrating physical spaces (usually buildings, neighborhoods, sites, and landscapes) that are historically and culturally important. To protect these spaces, city governments regulate demolition and renovations to historically designated properties. How can Dallas residents get involved? We need residents’ help to define a mission and vision for the City’s historic preservation program! Please fill out our brief survey at bit.ly/dallashistoricpreservation and join us at one of our community workshops on September 12, 13, or 16. Please provide your email at the end of the survey to receive updates about workshop locations and times.
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Digital Divide Survey Deadline August 31
Millions of Texas households lack internet access. Share your feedback about the barriers you may have faced getting affordable internet in the Digital Opportunity Public Survey: http://qrco.de/txpublicsurvey. Your opinions matter. Thank you for your participation.
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From 1:30 to 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of each month, the West Dallas Multipurpose Center will be hosting a fresh produce drive thru. Residents can drive-up (or walk-up) to WDMC and will receive fresh produce, free of charge – no qualifications required. Partners include The Last Patrol, The American Heart Association and North Dallas Food Bank. | |
The Office of Homeless Solutions Give Responsibly campaign encourages donations to nonprofits serving our most vulnerable neighbors to end homelessness and reduce street charity. To help, residents can text 214-740-7886 with the word CARES. Residents will then receive a direct link to the DallasHomelessSolutions.com/get-involved, where they can Give Responsibly to help end homelessness.
Learn how you can be the solution by giving to nonprofit service providers directly. bit.ly/GiveResponsiblyDallas
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Download the application on your Android phone HERE or iPhone HERE | | | | |
