City Manager’s Proposed
FY 2011-2012 Budget
Town Hall Meeting Public Q&A

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What are you doing to ensure Truck 11 stays at Station 11 @ Cedar Springs and Oak Lawn? Keep 102 years of tradition alive!
Submitted:08/12/2011

The proposed budget includes the movement of several truck companies to improve response time and reduce costs. The cost savings will be accomplished by operating 21 truck companies as the department has for well over 25 years. This level will allow the department to put one unit in reserve and save two million dollars. Our goal is to periodically analyze the locations of all emergency equipment to ensure efficient and timely response to all parts of the city. We are considering various scenarios at the present time, and no final decisions have been made related to specific movements of truck companies. Ultimately, we will have a deployment model that meets our response time goals and provides the best service to all citizens and visitors.
Answered:08/12/2011

Why is the budget going up. It should be reduced based on less property values. All public corporations and small business in the area have had to reduce budgets including our salaries and pension freezes. I think the city should follow suit. A 10% reduction in the budget seems realistic. Why why would it go up or be the same?
Submitted:08/14/2011

The City Manager proposed a budget on August 8th to the City Council for FY 2011-12 that in total is 1.5% higher than the budget adopted for the current fiscal year (FY 2010-11). Included within this total budget are many operations that are fully supported by the revenues that they generate such as Dallas Water Utilities, Aviation Department, Building Inspection, etc. The part of the budget that is supported by property tax, sales tax, franchise revenues, etc. is the General Fund. For the upcoming budget year, property values declined 1.72% reducing the general fund revenues, but at the same time sales tax revenues have indicated increases. While the General Fund does have a proposed increase, it is less than one-tenth of one percent or $723,570 increase above the FY 2010-11 budget. The General Fund budget proposed for FY 2011-12 is still $84.9 million or 7.8% less than the one adopted for FY 2008-09 prior to the onset of the global recession. Many costs that increased in the FY 2011-12 General Fund budget include things such as hiring 200 new police officers ($2.6 million), hiring 200 new fire recruits ($2.3 million), refurbishing ambulances ($1.0 million), training paramedics ($4.6 million) , adjusting for the increased cost of fuel ($3.6 million), etc. Additionally, a labor agreement with the police and fire uniform employees required adding cost totaling $8.6 million in the new budget. In order to offset most of the increased cost, many reductions have had to be made. For example, over 350 positions have been eliminated. Of the 350 positions that will be eliminated, approximately 120 positions are filled. Those employees have received notice of the elimination of their positions and will need to seek other employment either at the City of Dallas or elsewhere. Remaining civilian employees will still earn 1.9% to 4.9% less than they did two years ago before salaries were cut. Other examples of reductions are in custodial, maintenance, and security at City owned buildings that will occur in the new year. Efficiencies are being put in place in park land maintenance, animal services, library staffing, alignment of fire trucks around the city, and scheduling of fire dispatch workers. Managing through the economic downturn is challenging, and the proposed budget is appropriate for the future of the City. The expenditures in the proposed budget do not exceed the revenues. The proposed budget is balanced.
Answered:08/16/2011

I have a procedural question: I understand the budget will be approved by the Council in September. But when cuts are made during the year or services are restored, what's the process for that? Are the changes at the discretion of the City Manager? Must they be approved by the City Council? Is there any public hearing process? In particular, I'm interested in the library budget. When it was slashed after the 2008-09 budget was approved, and then slashed again, after the 2009-10 budget was approved, did the City Manager make this decision? Did the Council have a choice? And was there any public input? Thanks very much!
Submitted:08/17/2011

The determination of which services to include in a given fiscal years budget are made with the input of the citizens, city council and city staff. The process to develop the budget begins in January of each year with a high-level forecast of revenues and expenses for the upcoming year. Services are prioritized based on criteria set by the City Council and are ranked against all other City services. As the revenue estimates are refined, the expenditures and corresponding service levels may be increased or decreased based on available revenues. The City Manager presents a proposed budget to the City Council in early August. The Council then has the opportunity to review the budget and receive input from the residents on what services should be included and at what levels. The City Council conducts town hall meetings and holds a public hearing specifically on the budget in late August. For FY12, the public hearing will be held on Wednesday, August 24 at 1 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Dallas City Hall. The Council may then amend the budget based on the input they have received. A balanced budget is adopted and the tax rate is set in late September. After the budget is adopted, the City Manager has the responsibility of implementing the budget through the fiscal year and ensuring that the budget remains balanced. If revenues are not being realized through the fiscal year at the same level as projected in the budget, then the City Manager must make adjustments including reductions in expenditures in order to not exceed revenues. Each month, the City Manager reports to Council on the state of budget. In FY09, the Library budget was adopted at $31.5m and the department spent $28.7m. After the FY09 budget was adopted, City revenues were significantly impacted by the recession and reductions had to be implemented across all City departments in order to maintain balance throughout the fiscal year. As the recession continued and revenues declined, the FY10 Library budget was adopted at $22.4m and the department spent $22.2m. As a result of continued economic recession, many service cuts were implemented across most city departments in the FY10 budget. The same situation continued in preparation of the FY11 budget with further declining revenues and recession impact. In FY11, the Library budget was proposed to be $17.0m. Through the City Council review and amendment process $2.6m was added ($0.5m for materials and $2.1m for staffing). The Library budget was adopted at $19.6m. The current forecast is that $19.4m will be spent for the current fiscal year. For FY12, the Library budget is proposed to be $18.2m.
Answered:08/19/2011

A recession ( call it a depression) usually brings lower property values and lower consumer spending, which is what we are seeing now. Add a drought and the infrastructure begins to suffer, including streets, water/sewer mains, sidewalks, foundations, etc. We keep postponing our infrastructure support and maintenance to future bond elections, and I have to wonder how much longer we can wait to reconstruct our streets, secure our water supply, keep our parks and libraries viable, and uphold the confidence and social, economic, physical and psychological health of our communities. There are many people here who will never see the Margaret Hunt Hill bridge or the Belo Gardens or the Omni Hotel nor will they go to the parks downtown. I believe that allowing parts of Dallas to slip into urban blight and decay is detrimental to the health of the whole city and that a solid, well-maintained infrastructure of drivable streets, walkable communities, sound schools, and community based shopping will do more to increase the potential for new business and happy, productive citizens than any other course of action.
Submitted:08/18/2011

Comment Only. No Question Indicated
Answered:08/19/2011

I attended a 2011 Redistricting Public Forum on August 20 and was given a very nice pen when I signed in. In hard economic times like these, who is approving the expense for pens? It's items like this that add up to dollars that can be used for basic services. Thank you.
Submitted:08/20/2011

After several meetings where writing utensils were not available or members of the public asked staff to borrow a pen, Redistricting Project Staff ordered pens. An inexpensive pen was chosen from an approved City vendor for both the public and commission members to use during the public forum and subsequent meetings. Redistricting, which only occurs every 10 years and is required by City Charter, is a very important process that the City of Dallas is currently undertaking. The Redistricting Commission has hosted weekly meetings at City Hall, starting February 8, and 10 Public Hearings all over the city. It is important that meeting attendees are able to document and make notes related to plan submissions, related documents, and briefing information; and, allow for comments and questions related to their observations. Public input is very important and always appreciated.
Answered:08/22/2011

August 20, 2011 Greetings, I have sent this to the Dallas Morning News twice with zero results. If you have time getting some action on this request would be greatly appreciated. I hope you are able to contact the responsible department(s) to perform the corrective actions on the items I am reporting. The section of West Northwest Highway from the Toll Road to Lemmon Avenue has been neglected for many years. Right of way trash is never removed, the intersections are like a dump ground. The vegetation has encroached on to the traffic lanes on either side and above in many places. Growth of limbs and/or fallen limbs (small trees) have been struck by passing vehicles in several places. Due to the size of these obstructions I am sure some damage has occurred. This section of road consists of several long curves that have ZERO distance visibility due to vegetation growth hanging over the curb. The low hanging tree limbs are constantly being struck by large trucks. The West bound traffic cannot see the traffic light in front of the Embassy Suites Hotel until the last minute due to low hanging limbs before the location of the light. In the areas where the property lines are very close to the street the remaining right of way is covered in trash and dead vegetation also. I have seen men riding lawnmowers or walking along with weed eaters down the center of the road (NO GRASS??). They mow a small area on the North side one block West of Inwood Road. I have been driving this section for many years and have never seen it manicured or cleaned. Your assistance with this matter will be greatly appreciated. Regards Bill Henderson 9318 Esplanade Drive Dallas, Texas 75220 Cell No. 214-707-0727
Submitted:08/20/2011

City inspectors reviewed the areas of Northwest Highway and determined that there is maintenance required in that area. Contractor Good Earth will be sent out to begin work within the next few days. We expect it to take about a week to clean up this area.
Answered:08/23/2011

I wanted to urge the Council Members to restore cuts to the City COP/CPP funding city budget. I have lived and worked in Dallas since 1982 and have made my livelihood in the performing arts. Dallas has a great reputation as a cultural destination and with city funding of the cultural programs such as Shakespeare in the Park, the city is a better place to live. Also, please restore any cuts to the Parks and Recreation budget as those are assets for the city which are critical. Thank you for your service! Raphael Parry
Submitted:08/26/2011

Comment only. No question indicated.
Answered:08/31/2011

The CPH needs local arts to fill its schedule and Sallas needs to support its arts economy with new groups in the pipeline, so please restore arts funding when funds available.
Submitted:08/31/2011

Comment only. No question indicated.
Answered:09/09/2011

How much money does the city of Dallas allotted for flouridation of our water? Why not cut that flouridation to help us in our deficit. There are many large scientific studies to show that drinking fluoridated water has no positive effect on cavity reduction and to show that it causes cancer, thyroid damage, broken hips, lowered IQ and other health problems. The best source for scientific information on fluoridation can be found here: (www.fluoridealert.org).
Submitted:09/01/2011

City of Dallas Water Utilities has approximately $1.0M budgeted for the fluoridation process within its proposed fiscal year 2012 budget. Fluoridation of drinking water is not required by law; it is an added service provided by the water utility for cavity prevention and must be authorized by Dallas City Council. On August 9, 1965 Dallas City Council passed a resolution authorizing the City Manager to proceed with fluoridation of City's water supply. On January 29, 1966 City of Dallas held a special election where citizens voted to approve fluoridation of tap water by a 2 to 1 margin; Dallas began feeding within all three plants on August 12, 1966. Dallas treated water averages a level of .59 ppm; well below the current regulated (MCL) max level of the 4.0 ppm by Environmental Protection Agency.
Answered:09/09/2011

I understand there is talk of moving the hook and ladder truck from the fire station at East Grand, a station that also serves the Dolphin Heights area. I have asked once with no answer. Is there a list or plan for how the trucks are going to be dispersed? If so I would like to know. Here in my area, we have several highrise buildings as well as apartment buildings that are three stories in places. I would like to know how the fire truck "musical chairs" will work in my area around Ferguson Road and Buckner.
Submitted:09/03/2011

DFR has conducted an assessment of the location of all ladder truck companies throughout the city of Dallas in anticipation of the possible placing of one truck in reserve in the upcoming fiscal year. Such an assessment has not been done in over 25 years. The result of this assessment has indicated that we can reassign selected truck companies, provide enhanced coverage to the entire city, as well as realize reduced response times, according to current projections. We are confident the proposed reassignments will provide sufficient coverage to all parts of the city as we move forward. Please also keep in mind that we have an engine company located at every fire station in the city, therefore ANY call for service will continue to be answered well within established response time standards. Regarding the area near Ferguson and Buckner, there are two ladder trucks located near that area, and they are located at Station 53 (1407 John West), and Station 39 (2850 Ruidosa @ Ferguson Road).
Answered:09/13/2011

Please restore cuts to the COP/CPP budget. Some of the very best programs for at-risk youth are being produced by arts groups during the non-school hours and are a cost-effective way of creating alternatives to crime and drug-use. If the arts budget is cut, many of these programs will be cut or drastically reduced.
Submitted:09/06/2011

Comment only. No question indicated.
Answered:09/06/2011

Given the extreme budget crisis for the city, why does the city pump up its air conditioning to the degree that many employees must don sweaters and jackets when the outside temperatures are 100+? It would seem that a substantial savings might be achieved by raising the in-house temperatures to a modest 77 degrees. That would be particularly important during this recent period when "brownouts" were being threatened.
Submitted:09/08/2011

Thermostats are typically set in the 76 - 78 degree range. Some buildings (like City Hall) due to their design, present more of a challenge balancing air flow throughout the buildings. As a result from time to time there are double digit differences in the temperatures of different parts of the same building. There are also occasions when a section of a building needs to be cooled in advance of anticipated large crowds. Unfortunately, systems for these larger buildings are not room-specific but rather control large sections and/or floors of the building. In order to adequately cool a large meeting space occupied by a large crowd, adjacent and nearby offices will likely also be cooler than normal. We continue to work on fine-tuning the HVAC systems across the city.
Answered:09/09/2011

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