Dallas could seek as much as $1.25 billion in bond money for infrastructure projects

The Dallas City Council could signal support as early as this week for a $1.25 billion bond program –- $150 million more than the proposal they’ve been working with. The City Council planned a special meeting Friday, when they could take straw votes to figure out what they believe the total bond should be and how the money should be spent. While the votes will be non-binding, the results could offer a preview for how the bond election might look later this year. The money will pay for upgrades to roads, parks and other projects. Officials had proposed raising $1.1 billion, but assistant city manager Robert Perez said in a Jan. 12 memo to the mayor and city council members that part of a separate $400 million in bond money for pensions could be used for an additional boost. “Should an increased 2024 bond program be desired by the City Council, staff would recommend using no more than $150M of the $400M financial capacity, which would increase the 2024 Bond Program from $1.1B to $1.25B,” Perez said. “The funds reserved for pension would be restored and possibly increased in [fiscal year 2030] and future years.”