Dallas voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, to consider two distinct Proposition A measures that appear on the same ballot but address different needs.
City Proposition A: $443 million safety‑facility bond
The city proposal would allow Dallas to borrow $443 million to build and upgrade public‑safety infrastructure. The bond package includes five projects: an $82 million police law‑enforcement training center, a $149 million public‑safety training complex, a $40 million 911 and emergency‑operations facility, $150 million for evidence storage and a crime lab, and $22 million to replace Fire Station No. 4.
Repayment of the bond principal would be $443 million, with total estimated cost—including interest—rising to $629,618,180 over a period of up to 20 years, based on current market conditions. Texas law requires the ballot to state, “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE,” even though city officials say they do not expect a direct increase in the property‑tax rate for this program. The debt would still need to be repaid, and voters cannot select individual projects within the package.
The city notes that the $82 million allocated for the police training center would be supplemented by existing funding sources, such as the 2024 bond program, state grants and private contributions.
County Proposition A: Higher property‑tax rate for homelessness services
Dallas County’s measure would raise the property‑tax rate to $0.248650 per $100 of taxable value, up from the voter‑approved rate of $0.224650. County officials estimate the change will generate an additional $102.9 million in revenue to fund programs that address homelessness, encampments, mental‑health treatment and housing stability.
For a property with a taxable value of $300,000 after exemptions, the rate increase translates to an extra $72 in annual taxes. If voters reject the higher rate, the county will revert to the $0.224650 rate rather than the $0.215500 rate that was in effect in 2025, according to the county’s August 11 order.
County Judge Clay Jenkins and Commissioners Theresa Daniel and Andrew Sommerman supported the election order, while Commissioners John Wiley Price and Elba Garcia opposed it. The order outlines broad spending purposes but does not set specific contractor payments or performance metrics.
Impact on police staffing mandate
Neither measure automatically satisfies Proposition U, the 2024 charter amendment that requires a minimum of 4,000 sworn police officers. As of September 2026, the department had 3,410 sworn officers, and city budget projections still fall short of the 2027 requirement.
Thus, while the city bond could improve facilities for training and operations, it does not guarantee the staffing levels mandated by Proposition U. Likewise, the county tax increase would fund homelessness services but does not affect the city’s police‑officer count.
Voting details
Early voting concluded on October 30. Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., as confirmed by the Texas Secretary of State. Voters are encouraged to review their sample ballot and confirm their polling location before heading out.
Both Proposition A measures will appear on the same ballot, but a vote on one does not determine the outcome of the other.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
