Dallas Proposition A: Why city leaders are divided over the $443 million public safety bond

Supporters say the bond would fund critical police and fire facilities, while opponents want voters to reject the measure and consider a smaller proposal next year.

by · 5 NBCDFW

A $443 million public safety bond is dividing Dallas City Council members, with competing campaigns urging voters to either approve the proposal or reject it in favor of a smaller package next year.

As early voting continues, Proposition A has become a point of contention among city leaders, police and firefighter associations and residents weighing what the measure would mean for public safety.

Supporters say the funding is necessary to complete a new police training academy, improve evidence storage and replace aging public safety infrastructure. Opponents argue the city should narrow its priorities before asking voters to approve hundreds of millions of dollars in additional bonds.

The disagreement has fueled competing campaigns, including an organized effort urging voters to "Bust the Bond."

The city of Dallas' Proposition A is separate and unrelated to Dallas County's Proposition A, which asks voters to consider a property tax increase to address homelessness.

What would Dallas Proposition A fund?

According to supporters, more than half of the $443 million bond would help complete a new Dallas Police Department training academy at the University of North Texas at Dallas.

The proposal also includes:

  • $150 million for a new Dallas Police Department evidence room and crime lab.
  • $22 million to replace Dallas Fire-Rescue Station 4 on Akard Street in downtown Dallas.
  • $40 million to relocate 311 and 911 services outside Dallas City Hall.

Supporters point to the completion of the police academy and the potential for faster fire response times through the replacement of the aging fire station as reasons to approve the measure.

Ahead of early voting, District 4 Council member Maxie Johnson joined representatives from the Dallas Police Association, Black Police Association of Greater Dallas and Dallas Black Firefighters Association to encourage residents to support the bond.

"We're going to bond together, we're going to build together and we're going to support our public safety bond," Johnson said. "It's simple, vote yes."

Supporters have promoted the measure through campaign websites, text messages and signs.

The city has also launched a website providing information about the proposed bond projects.

Why are some Dallas leaders opposing the bond?

Opposition to Proposition A has taken shape through a political action committee campaigning under the message "Bust the Bond."

District 12 Council member Cara Mendelsohn is listed as treasurer of the PAC, which has deployed signs at polling locations, text alerts and a website encouraging residents to vote against the measure.

"People who are saying 'bust the bond' are also saying we want a better bond and we love Dallas enough to not let it make a mistake," Mendelsohn said. "And the mistake would be just opening up the purse once again."

Mendelsohn wants voters to reject the current proposal in November and consider a smaller bond next May focused exclusively on the DPD training academy at UNT Dallas and a proposed public safety complex in southwest Dallas.

"I'm hoping that enough people will know about this and seriously consider it when they get to the very bottom of their ballot," she said.

What are voters saying?

Despite the competing campaigns, several voters NBC 5 spoke with Friday said they had not seen or noticed much campaigning from either side.

Some said they made their decisions after reading the proposition at their polling locations.

Trevor Childers said he was left with questions about what the proposal would accomplish.

"It's hard to sum up an entire proposition in one paragraph, so I'm still left wondering what else it is and isn't doing," Childers said.

He said the ballot was the first time he had encountered details about the measure.

"That was the first time I'd actually seen what it was about and I still didn't feel that I understood the full picture of it," he said.

Another voter, Jim Collins, said the measure's focus on public safety was enough to earn his support.

"I read it, it was about public safety, and so I went ahead and voted yes," Collins said.

Could higher voter turnout affect the outcome?

Matthew Wilson, a political science expert at Southern Methodist University, said the disagreement surrounding Proposition A is unusual because it has divided both the City Council and Dallas' political establishment.

"This is unusual in the sense that it really divides the council and divides the political establishment within the city of Dallas," Wilson said.

Wilson believes higher-profile races at the top of the ballot could draw more residents to the polls, potentially making Proposition A one of the most heavily voted on bond elections.

He suggested that increased participation could benefit supporters, particularly among voters who have not closely followed the competing campaigns.

"Most people who vote are just going to see it as a box check, yes or no on public safety, which means it's highly likely to end up passing," Wilson said.

As early voting continues, residents will decide whether to approve the $443 million package or reject it, leaving city leaders to determine their next steps for funding the proposed public safety projects.

Where to learn more about Proposition A

Voters can review information from the city and both campaigns before heading to the polls.