SCLC Dallas
March On City Hall

City Budget Cutbacks: What is Necessary? What is Fair?

How much money is needed to fund current city programs in the coming year?
According to the May 19, 2010, City Council briefing materials, to maintain the current service levels next year would cost $1.049 billion. (Note: Unless otherwise noted, all amounts are from these materials.)

How much revenue does the city manager project for the coming year?
The revenue forecast is $918.8 million.

What is the city budget shortfall projected for the coming year?
The same briefing materials show the budget shortfall to be $131.1 million.

Is this a big part of the overall budget?
It’s a large amount of money for sure, but $131.1 million is only about 12.5% of the amount needed to fund current programs.

How big are the cutbacks being proposed for our swimming pools, libraries, recreation centers, senior centers, cultural centers, arts groups, and other people programs?

The cuts proposed for these programs are much more than 12.5%.

• TBAAL, Teatro Dallas, and other arts groups are facing cuts of up to 40%. The South Dallas Cultural Center, Latino Cultural Center, and Bath House Cultural Center are budgeted for a cutback of 1/3 in their operating hours and 50% of their program budgets.

• The recreation centers face similar cuts. There are currently 43 centers operating 55 hours per week. Under the proposed plans, we would have open only 23 centers for only about 30 hours per week. That’s a loss of 47% of our recreation centers, and a cutback of 45% in center operating hours.

• The Central Library is open presently 6 days a week (44 hours total). After the cutbacks, it will be open only 4 days per week (24 hours total). This is a 33% cutback in days open and a 45% cutback in operating hours.

• The Parks Department website invites citizens to “Learn to swim or swim for fun at the City's 22 community pools.” But only 7 pools are open. The other pools are “inactive” (see: http://www.dallasparks.org/Downloads/dallas_parks_pool_locations.pdf). Not one of the 7 pools now open is funded in the city manager’s proposed budget for next year.

What can I do to save these programs?

Join with your neighbors, friends, and others on Wednesday, June 23, at Dallas City Hall:

Poor People’s March for Dallas,
June 23, 12 Noon, City Hall Plaza

For more info, contact: Perry Forshee, 214-435-6470; e-mail: perryforshee@netzero.net