Dallas City Council Passes $5.66 Billion Budget Cutting Tax Rate for 11th Year as DART Approves $1.4B Transit Plan

City Council Adopts $5.66 Billion FY 2026–2027 Municipal Budget

DALLAS, Texas — Following a comprehensive 14-hour budget debate, the Dallas City Council enacted Mayor Eric Johnson and city management's $5.66 billion municipal budget for Fiscal Year 2026–2027 in late September 2026. The adopted spending package delivers an 11th consecutive annual reduction in the municipal property tax rate, lowering the rate from 69.88 cents to 69.78 cents per $100 of taxable valuation to maintain regional tax competitiveness.

The budget prioritizes robust frontline investments in public safety, funding recruitment classes and competitive compensation adjustments for the Dallas Police Department and Dallas Fire-Rescue. Simultaneously, dedicated funding maintains neighborhood street resurfacing, municipal park maintenance, and neighborhood library operating hours across the city.

DART Approves $1.4 Billion Balanced Budget Ahead of Leadership Transition

Parallel to City Hall's budget adoption, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board of Directors formally approved a $1.4 billion annual operating budget. The transit spending blueprint preserves the agency's General Mobility Program, ensuring no transit service reductions across DART's extensive 93-mile light rail system and network of over 100 bus routes.

The balanced budget provides a stable operational foundation as DART prepares to welcome incoming Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel Ford, who is scheduled to officially assume leadership on October 26, 2026. Transit officials and city leaders are coordinating closely under the recently approved Interlocal Collaboration Agreement to accelerate transit-oriented development around suburban rail stations.

Strengthening Regional Mobility and Economic Leadership in North Texas

North Texas civic leaders and urban analysts commended Dallas for maintaining fiscal discipline while safeguarding essential public transit links. By lowering property tax burdens, investing in public safety, and keeping regional transit networks fully funded, Dallas continues to solidify its role as an economic powerhouse.