A District 9’s budget town hall meeting in 2025 at Lochwood Branch Library. Photo by Madelyn Edwards.

The City of Dallas released the proposed 2026-27 Fiscal Year Budget on Friday, with nearly 300 jobs set to be eliminated.

The estimated budget total for the upcoming fiscal year is $5.66 billion and while the city continues to face a $30 million shortfall for the current fiscal year, the next budget aims to save $17.3 million by shifting spending priorities and reorganizing staffing.

One of the biggest takeaways from the proposed budget is the lack of closures. 

Last fiscal year’s budget included the closure of the Skillman Southwestern Branch Library and the Legacy Pool realignment plan, which would close community pools based on use and age to support other priorities.

In the proposed 2026-27 budget, the aquatics facility management will continue to operate and maintain nine aquatic centers, the Bachman indoor pool and the Dallas ISD indoor pool. The Bahama Beach Waterpark is also listed to continue to be operated and maintained by the Park and Recreation Department.

The department’s highlighted objectives specified beginning the design and construction for aquatic and community recreation improvements for the Pleasant Oaks and Jaycee Zaragoza Park community pool replacements and the Vickery Meadow Sprayground and pavilion.

There was no mention of the Legacy Pool realignment in the proposed 2026-27 budget.

Funds dedicated to aquatic facilities in the budget proposal include $7.35 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year and nearly $21.13 million planned for the 2027-28 fiscal year. 

That funding could go toward “new filtration systems, new piping and chlorination systems, replastering of pool walls, new perimeter fencing, new decking and improvements to the restroom and changing facilities,” according to the proposed budget. 

Library closures have also been at the top of mind since the presentation in January recommended the closure of four branch libraries to shift to the regional model, which would create flagship libraries that provide extended hours and expanded programming and services to offset the closure of the branches.

While the proposed budget released Aug. 7 does not close branches, it does include plans to implement the flagship libraries while keeping all branches open and changing current operations.

All branch libraries would see a reduction in hours, minus Bookmarks and the flagship libraries.

The library system’s current Adult Learning Program, which provides GED classes, testing services, English Language Learning and citizenship classes, would be eliminated and transitioned to a local partnership with Dallas College and Workforce Solutions.

Library positions across the system take the biggest hit of the proposed job cuts, with a total of  72 positions slated for elimination and some full-time library positions proposed to shift to part-time in the 2027-28 fiscal year plan. 

Of the 296 city positions slated for removal, just over 100 of those positions are currently filled. 

The Dallas Police Department also includes position eliminations, but aims to hire 360 officers for the 2026-27 fiscal year and 339 officers for 2027-28. The proposed budget includes the required City contributions to the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System to increase by 9% more than the last fiscal year, with an allocation of $246 million. 

Another cut to address rising costs is the planned elimination of the city employee healthcare copay plan. Instead, employees will be given a choice strictly between the primary care physician plan or a Health Savings Account that is currently offered in addition to the copay option.  

The City Council began budget discussions around the horseshoe following the proposal’s release with the first budget workshop Tuesday following the July recess. A full list of budget town halls can be found here.