The World Cup soccer tournament, leaf and garbage collection, and storm water management topped the concerns at a recent District 10 Budget Town Hall Meeting.
At the meeting, Councilman Donna Halstead, first assistant city manager John Ware and various City staff members answered questions from 60 residents. Issues addressed included the closing of pools, and concerns about deteriorating libraries and the City’s infrastructure.
Halstead and Ware conducted the meeting on the proposed 1993-’94 city budget recommended by City Manager Jan Hart.
During the meeting, Halstead asked residents if any of the budget cuts were a problem – if they thought the City could afford specific programs.
For example, she asked if they were comfortable with the new property tax rate, an increase of 1.66 cents per $100 of assessed value. About 20 attendees were in favor of the effective tax rate and about 15 objected.
Mayor Steve Bartlett arrived near the end of the meeting, and made a short statement saying the budget tries to reduce crime while minimizing the tax increase.
One speaker asked why the City was spending approximately $177,000 on a herd of bronze cows near the Dallas Convention Center when the libraries are inadequate and there are potholes that need to be fixed.
Halstead told the questioner that “funds for maintaining that sculpture are not funds that can be used for our libraries, or other things. The maintenance of that park is structured, and it comes from revenues generated from the convention center. It is in an enterprise fund and cannot be diverted to the kind of things you are talking about.”
Other questions at the meeting included:
- Why is the City spending so much money on security for the upcoming World Cup, especially if the City is going to lose money on the event?
“The City in terms of direct costs associated with soccer will not break even,” Ware said, “but the overall benefit to the economy will be worth over $105 million into the economy, not to benefit the City directly, but will benefit the City and the business community in terms of the hotel and restaurant industry.
“In addition, one of the reasons for hosting World Cup is to give us an opportunity to showcase the Cotton Bowl to the world as a place to play soccer.”
- Is the City going to de-privatize garbage pickup in Lake Highlands?
There are no plans to de-privatize the northern and northeastern sections of the City, Ware said.
Residents have the opportunity to voice their opinions until Sept. 22, when the budget is scheduled to be approved. Call Halstead’s office at 670-4068 if you have questions or comments.
