Dallas County Commissioners Court voted 3-2 Tuesday to advertise a higher property tax rate, taking the first formal step toward potentially asking voters in November to approve additional funding for homeless services.
According to the Dallas Morning News, the court initially rejected the proposal earlier in the same meeting. After a closed executive session, Commissioner Theresa Daniel requested a redo vote, citing confusion over the motion’s wording. In the second vote, commissioners approved advertising the rate for the seven days required by state law.
The advertising must begin now because the court’s Aug. 11 meeting is the last scheduled session before the deadline to finalize the Nov. 3 ballot. The higher rate under discussion is intended to generate funding for homeless services, with coverage citing a target in the range of $150 million.
Dallas Morning News reporting shows the current county tax rate is 21.55 cents per $100 of valuation. The highest rate the court could adopt without voter approval is 22.46 cents. A rate requiring voter approval for the homeless services component would reach 25.31 cents, according to the same report. For a $350,000 home, that would mean an increase from about $754 under the current rate to roughly $886.
Supporters of dedicated funding, including Housing Forward, have argued sustained revenue is needed to expand outreach, rental assistance, and housing programs. Some commissioners have previously questioned whether the county should take on that role or whether the plan would deliver measurable results.
The next formal decision is expected Aug. 11, when the court would vote on whether to place the measure on the ballot.
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