A proposal to shore up Dallas' $190 million deficit calls for the elimination of 19 percent of the city's civilian workforce and cuts in certain city services.
Under the current proposal, about 785 employees could lose their jobs and 380 currently vacant jobs would be eliminated. But the city would also beef up its police force by 200 officers.
"What you expect is a city that's focused on the priorities the council has delineated, which is public safety and building for future infrastructure and a general contraction of services," City Manager Mary Suhm said. "It is just like in our homes; we are having to respond to economic conditions and reduce everything."
Other proposed cuts include:
- Services to the sick and elderly would operate solely on federal grant funds and receive no tax dollars from citizens.
- Branch libraries would only be open 23 hours a week.
- The 311 service line's operating hours would be cut to 12 hours a day, Monday through Friday.
Under Suhm's proposal, departments other than police, fire and code will be reduced by an average of 25 percent.
The proposal, the latest effort to shore up the worst budget deficit in decades, was released late Friday night and shows close a $190 million gap in a $1.9 billion operating budget.
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If enacted by the City Council, the proposals would shave the deficit to $38.6 million. Drastic measures such as unpaid furloughs for city employees or the temporary closure of libraries, recreation centers and community pools could be used to make up the difference. City managers also propose raising fees on some city services, such as the use of city athletic fields.
The details are certain to change in some respects as Suhm gets closer to an Aug. 10 deadline to present budget recommendation to the council.
Mayor Tom Leppert and other council members told the Dallas Morning News there will be no tax increase to Dallas residents to close the budget gap.
