The gun ban at the State Fair of Texas and millions of dollars in overtime pay for city employees will be on the agenda when the Dallas City Council meets on Wednesday.
The fair announced a gun ban earlier this month, a year after a man shot and injured three people at the fair last year. After the announcement, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) warned he would sue the city to block the policy, giving them 15 days to reconsider.
The council will meet in closed session with the city attorney on Wednesday to discuss options. Fair officials argued that other big events, like the Houston and San Antonio rodoes have similar gun bans.
Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia and Mayor Eric Johnson have yet to respond to Paxton's letter. Seventy Republican state representatives, senators, and candidates signed a letter urging the State Fair of Texas to reconsider the policy. The fair begins Sept. 27.
When it comes to overtime pay, Dallas paid employees more than $140 million last year. An analysis conducted by The Dallas Morning News earlier this summer found that the city's top 25 overtime earners in the last two years were all police officers and firefigthers.
One patrol seargent made more than $300,000 last year, making him the department's highest paid employee in 2023.
The department is exploring options to boost retention, adjust shifts, and use civilian employees in the city to help with the administrative workload.
Dallas police will present a proposal to the city council on Wednesday morning.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
