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We Continue the Momentum!
Thank you for the incredible response to the first edition of Momentum. This monthly update is designed to keep you connected to the work happening across Dallas, and I'm grateful to everyone who took the time to read, engage and share your feedback.
As we move into another busy month, our focus remains on turning policy into progress and making sure that progress is felt across our city. From investments in our neighborhoods and infrastructure to the work happening every day to strengthen City services, there is a lot of momentum across Dallas-and even more ahead.
In this edition, I'm sharing how we're making zoning faster and easier to understand, using technology to improve the way we serve our customers, and continuing to invest in the systems and partnerships that will help Dallas grow.
Thank you for staying connected and, more importantly, for continuing to be part of the work we are doing together.
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Breaking Ground on the Future of Public Safety
This week, we reached an important milestone for public safety in Dallas with the groundbreaking of our new Law Enforcement Training Center at UNT Dallas.
The project represents years of planning and partnership among the City of Dallas, the State of Texas, UNT Dallas and community partners. When completed in 2028, the new facility will provide a state-of-the-art environment where generations of Dallas police officers can learn, train and prepare to serve our community.
I am especially proud that we reached the groundbreaking ahead of schedule. Now, our responsibility as Team Dallas is to keep that momentum going and deliver on the commitment we have made to our residents: build it right, build it on time and build it on budget.
This is what Service First, Now! looks like-turning our commitments into action and continuing to invest in a safer, stronger Dallas.
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Using AI to Strengthen Neighborhood Services
We are continuing to explore how technology can help Team Dallas work smarter, identify concerns sooner and deliver better service to our residents.
The City has completed the deployment of 100 AI-enabled cameras on 50 Sanitation vehicles. As these vehicles travel their normal collection routes, the technology can identify potential neighborhood concerns such as illegal dumping, high grass, debris, graffiti and deteriorating structures.
Since April, the system has analyzed more than 152,000 properties and identified approximately 30,000 potential concerns for staff review. The technology does not replace our employees or make enforcement decisions-City staff review every potential issue before action is taken.
We are already seeing the impact. Earlier this year, the system identified a fire-damaged, vacant home that had never been reported. Code Compliance staff inspected the property, identified significant structural deterioration and began the process to address the potential safety hazard.
This is how we can use technology responsibly: finding problems earlier, directing resources where they are needed most and improving service while maintaining human oversight and accountability.
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Modernizing Dallas Municipal Court Services
Some of the improvements to City services happen behind the scenes-but they are just as important.
The City is preparing to replace the Municipal Court Case Management System,
an important step toward modernizing the technology that supports our Municipal Justice operations.
The proposed contract is currently moving through the City's review process and is expected to reach the City Council in December.
Residents may not see all the technology behind the services they rely on, but modern and reliable systems are essential to delivering those services effectively. This investment will help position our Municipal Court operations for long-term service and technology improvements.
COMING UP: City Council consideration anticipated in December 2026.
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A Partnership to Expand Housing Opportunity
I also want to recognize Wayne White, President & CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas, and the entire CFT team for their partnership with the City of Dallas as we work to strengthen our land bank and expand housing opportunities for Dallas residents.
Beginning in FY27, the Dallas Housing Acquisition and Development Corporation will transition into our Office of Housing and Community Empowerment. Through CFT's philanthropic support, we will also undertake a one-year capacity-building initiative focused on strengthening land bank operations, developing a long-term strategy and identifying opportunities to move more properties into housing production.
Wayne, thank you for your leadership and for recognizing what is possible when the public and philanthropic sectors work together. Partnerships like this help us leverage our resources, strengthen our capacity and create greater opportunity for Dallas residents.
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Bringing Zoning Conversations Into the Community
Dallas' zoning decisions affect much more than what can be built on a piece of property. They influence how we move around our city, interact with our environment, support healthy communities and create opportunities for our creative economy.
That's the idea behind Zoning 101, a five-part community series designed to make zoning easier to understand and give residents more opportunities to participate in conversations about the future of our city.
Last month, the second session at Dallas College's Workforce Center at RedBird explored how zoning intersects with mobility and transportation. Future sessions will look at zoning through the lens of our natural environment, health and creative economy.
These conversations are also helping prepare residents for the first draft of Dallas Zoning Reform, expected in October. That will bring additional opportunities for residents to learn more, ask questions and provide feedback.
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Moving the FY2027 Budget Forward
Last month, I shared the release of the FY2027 Recommended Budget and some of the work that went into developing a balanced, resident-prioritized budget. Since then, the Mayor and City Council have spent the past several weeks reviewing the proposal, discussing priorities and considering changes as we move closer to adoption.
Next week, we will reach another important milestone with the final City Council budget workshop. This will provide an opportunity to continue refining the budget and ensure the decisions we make reflect both our financial realities and the services our residents depend on every day.
Throughout this process, our focus has remained on protecting essential services, investing in the priorities Dallas residents have identified and maintaining the long-term financial strength of our city.
We are nearing the finish line, but our work does not end when a budget is adopted. The next step is delivering on it. That means putting these investments to work, remaining accountable for every taxpayer dollar and ensuring residents see the impact of these decisions in their neighborhoods and across Dallas.
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Together, We're Building Dallas
The progress you've read about in this update doesn't happen because of City government alone. It happens because people across Dallas continue to show up, invest, collaborate and believe in what's possible for our city.
There will always be more work ahead, but there is also a lot to be proud of-and even more opportunity in front of us.
Thank you for your partnership, your leadership and your continued commitment to Dallas. Let's keep building on our progress, running up the score and carrying this momentum forward together.
Kimberly Bizor Tolbert
City Manager
City of Dallas
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