Ann Margolin, Dallas City Council District 13

A Message from Ann Margolin
September 29, 2009

Why I Voted Against the Budget

Since I was the only City Council member to vote against the budget, I want to tell you why.

First, the budget is not transparent. It raises taxes in the guise of fees and dips too deeply into reserves.
Second, it sets us up for greater problems in 2010-11.

This budget raises revenue by increasing taxes on both Dallas Water Utilities and Atmos Energy for a combined $8.6 million and calls it an increased “fee.”

These “fees” will be paid exclusively by individuals and businesses in Dallas through increased water and gas bills. You pay a user fee when you take a class at a rec center or park at Love Field.

This “fee’ is a tax in disguise.

This budget increases the cost of living and doing business in Dallas at a time when seniors will not get cost of living allowances from social security and retail sales are down 18% over last year.

The budget was balanced by taking $22 million out of reserves which cannot be done again next year. If we issue the scheduled $355 million in bonds this year we will face increased debt service of $24 million in FY 2010-11.

We are digging ourselves into a hole unnecessarily. And yet the council was able to walk away saying “We did not raise your taxes.”

Budget Overview:

191 new police officers hired with a federal grant and city funds.
No cuts in the budgets of police, fire or code enforcement.
Street resurfacing budget eliminated/ pothole fixes maintained.
Library materials acquisition reduced by half to $1.7 million.
Branch library hours cut from 47 to 44 per week.
Park maintenance and litter pickup reduced.
Recreation center hours cut from 65 to 55 hours per week on average.
14 community swimming pools closed (Walnut Hill Rec Center to remain open).
311 evening and weekend hours eliminated.
Water – Up an average of 4.2 percent.
Storm water – Up an average of 30 percent or $2 on average – more for large lots.
Atmos Gas franchise fee – Increased by $1.3 million, an average 1 percent rate increase per Dallas user.
Sanitation fee will be reduced by 64 cents a month when the city begins once a week garbage and recycling pickup for the entire city.
The Dallas Zoo is transferred to the Dallas Zoological Society saving about $15 million over 5 years.
The Office of Cultural Affairs is maintained with cuts volunteered by arts groups.
Direct health services are largely cut and transferred to the County. About $100,000 was retained for a dental program for senior citizens and $38000 for a senior employment program.
A $7 million federal grant for preventing homelessness will be received – this will help offset rent, mortgage payments or utilities for those at risk of homelessness.
Miscellaneous user fees – Some increases are planned for athletic fields, recreation center programs, parking at Fair Park and licensing of transportation companies some inspections, etc.

Warmest regards,

Ann

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