By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-909243.mp3
Dallas, TX – The city of Dallas budget shortfall is now 35 million dollars, down from 130 million. KERA's BJ Austin says they found a way to help close the gap.
In a budget update to council members, City Manager Mary Suhm outlined the cuts: including; fewer hours at libraries and rec centers; unpaid furlough days; deferred purchase of new police cars; and no hiring of new officers.
Councilman Steve Salazar says police cutbacks are a bad idea. He says it's time to raise taxes to support the services citizens want.
Salazar: There comes a point in time when you run a business you have to raise your rate to keep up with the competition. And the competition in this case is going to be as the number of officers dwindles crime is going to go up. And how much crime is it going to take for us to realize that.
But the City Manager says Dallas will have "more" officers next year, as they finish training and hit the streets.
Salazar's call for a three cent tax hike failed to get any traction.
The Council also deferred for the second year an increase in the property tax homestead exemption for Senior Citizens. It would have cost the city 2.6 million in revenue.
And a vote on the controversial no-bid concession contract for Love Field was delayed until August. The Mayor instructed the city staff to come up with more alternatives.