The City of Dallas is in the midst of its budget season, with multiple opportunities for residents to impact the process. The city has two months to approve its 2026-2027 budget, which has been affected by a $30 million budget shortfall due to low sales tax revenue, high employee health expenses, and police overtime costs.

Proposed Cuts and Budget Process

City Manager Kimberly Tolbert will present her recommended budget to the council on August 11, followed by budget town halls by each council member. Proposed cuts to libraries and community centers have drawn scrutiny from residents and council members alike. The city has asked various departments to explore service cuts to close the budget gap.

The budget process will include several town hall meetings and public hearings, culminating in the adoption of the budget on September 16. Residents can participate in the process by attending these meetings and providing feedback on the proposed budget.

Original reporting: Dallas Free Press — read the source article.