We asked Lake Highlands council member Jerry Allen three questions about the proposed city budget. Here are Allen’s answers:
1. How confident are you in the city manager’s prediction that property tax revenue will increase by seven percent?
A: I am confident in staff’s position that property taxes will increase by seven percent. This is also supported by the Dallas County Central Appraisal District projections. The City of Dallas has fared much better than most of the other cities and should be well positioned for the next up click.
2: Are there trade offs in the proposed budget — like cutting clearance rates for some crimes — that make you uncomfortable?
3: Where does the proposed budget cut services that you think need to be restored?
A: This is for 2 and 3. The budget process is all about balancing. Balancing the needs of the community and the citizens with the reality of limited revenue. Needs always exceed revenue and tough choices must be made. I am confident this budget funds our core services and addresses our quality of life needs such as Parks, Arts, Social Services, etc. I would encourage all citizens to contact their councilperson to make their voices known if they have an issue they are passionate about.
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