After a divisive day at Dallas City Hall, a property tax rate hike was approved by a straw vote of 8-7.
The increase will cost the average Dallas homeowner $64 per year. The tax increase will raise $39 million, mainly to reverse cuts to street repair, parks and libraries.
Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert was against the increase and said higher taxes would drive growth to the suburbs, where taxes are lower.
Councilman Dwaine Caraway countered with a long, very passionate video shot over the weekend that shows how south Dallas is in lousy shape and can't wait for future growth.
Other council members brought in charts and even busted tires to help make their point that a tax hike was necessary. Tax opponents even went so far as to say the supporters were selling "fear and snake oil" -- a comment that drew fire from Councilwoman Angela Hunt and offended others.
The final vote will be held on the property tax increase later this month.
