Dallas voters will decide on more than $900 million in public safety-related propositions on Nov. 3.
The bond election was called by the Dallas City Council on Wednesday.
The last bond election was in May 2024 for $1.25 billion in funds. It has ten voter-approved propositions that involve 850 projects for various citywide use.
Council Member Cara Mendelsohn proposed an amendment to one proposition that would have made funding for the police academy separate from relocating 911 and emergency services from City Hall.
"All of our residents deserve to individually consider each item, whether they support it or don't support it," Mendelsohn said.
Relocating 911 and emergency services from City Hall has been part of the debate on whether to stay or leave the building.
But that amendment was rejected in a 8-7 vote.
Council Member Adam Bazaldua wanted to add a proposition to include funds for deferred maintenance at City Hall. That proposal was made the same day the Save Dallas City Hall Coalition demanding mandatory inspections and repairs.
"Why on Earth would we send a bond this November to get the pulse from the voters for things that we say are important and fail to get them to weigh in on what we should be doing with this building?" Bazaldua said.
But that item was also rejected.
The bond will include three propositions:
- Proposition A: Public Safety Facilities. This would use $443 million in general obligation bonds. It would fund improvements and additions to the city's public safety facilities. The estimated repayment amount would be more than $629 million.
- Proposition B: City Facilities and Service Centers. This would use $17 million in general obligation bonds for city fleet maintenance. The estimated repayment amount would be more than $24 million
- Proposition C: Pension Obligation Bonds. This would issue $500 million in pension obligation bonds for the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System. The estimated repayment would be more than a billion.
What projects would be in propositions A and B?
Propositions A and B, if voter approved, would use general obligation bonds. Those projects include:
- Law Enforcement Training Center at UNT Dallas: $82 million needed
- Public Safety Training Complex at Dallas Executive Airport: $149 million needed
- Emergency Operation Center and 911: $40 million needed
- DPD Property Room, Evidentiary Vehicle Storage Facility and Crime Lab: $150 million needed
- Fire Station #4: $22 million needed
- Fleet Maintenance Facility at Southeast Service Center: $17 million needed
What are Pension Obligation Bonds?
Pension Obligation Bonds — which would be used if Proposition C is passed — are taxable bonds issued to fund the unfunded portion of pension liabilities. The Pension Obligation Bonds proposed for a 2026 election would go to the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System.
However, pension obligation bonds are considered high risk because it assumes the rate of return will be greater than the owed interest rate, according to the Government Finance Officers Association.
This could leave municipalities with both the debt service requirements of the taxable bonds and the unfunded pension liabilities, according to the GFOA.
Who voted for the bond election?
Council Members Chad West, Jesse Moreno, Zarin Gracey, Laura Cadena, Lorie Blair, Kathy Stewart, Bill Roth, Gay Donnell Willis, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Maxie Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem Jaime Resendez, and Mayor Eric Johnson all voted for the bond.
Who voted against having a bond election?
Council Members Adam Bazaldua, Paula Blackmon, Cara Mendelsohn, and Paul Ridley all voted against having a bond election.
Got a tip? Email Megan Cardona at mcardona@kera.org.
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