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Dallas County Special Election

DALLAS COUNTY PROPOSITION ATHIS IS A TAX INCREASE: Approving the ad valorem tax rate of $0.248650 per $100 valuation in County of Dallas for the current year, a rate that is $0.02400 higher per $100 valuation than the voter-approval tax rate of the County of Dallas, for the purpose of funding programs that measurably reduce homelessness and resolve encampments to improve neighborhood vibrancy, support homeless people to achieve self-sufficiency, increase access to mental health treatment and support programs that provide stable housing. Last year, the ad valorem tax rate in Dallas County was $0.215500 per $100 valuation.VOTE FOR OR AGAINSTDESCRIPTIONA vote of the people is required when the portion of a local taxing district’s new tax rate exceeds the rate calculated according to a complicated formula set by the state legislature. Dallas County’s total tax rate approved by the Commissioner’s Court exceeds the State’s calculated rate and thus must be approved by the voters or else it will revert to the lower State calculated rate. This type of election is called a Voter Approval Tax Ratification Election (VATRE). Dallas County’s tax rate approval proposition will be on the ballot as Proposition A. The words THIS IS A TAX INCREASE are mandated by the State to be at the top of a proposition like this one. 2026-27 Tax rate approved by Commissioner’s Court and up for voter approval: $0.248652026-27 Maximum state calculated tax rate without voter approval: $0.22465 2025-26 Dallas County Tax Rate $0.21550 Dallas County has not raised its tax rate for 16 years. If voters approve this increase, the anticipated $100 million raised from the increase will be used to:Fund programs that measurably reduce homelessness and resolve encampments,Improve neighborhood vibrancy,Support homeless people to achieve self-sufficiency,Increase access to mental health treatment, andSupport programs that provide stable housing.If voters do not approve this increase, the tax rate will be $0.224650 and the County will not fund the anticipated $100 million for homeless services.Comparable county tax rates per $100 taxable value for 2025-26:Collin County 0.149343Tarrant County 0.186200Dallas County 0.215500Bayer County 0.276331Travis County 0.375845Harris County 0.417500

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    Yes - For the Measure

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    No - Against the Measure

1. Governor Abbott’s priorities for the 2027 Legislature include a 3.5% cap on local government spending and higher voter approval thresholds, which will reduce the County’s ability in the future to be responsive to community priorities. Best to address the homeless issue while it is possible a project.

2. It is a financially responsible solution. Homelessness is costing the county through the burden placed on jails and the hospital. 6,004 unsheltered people accounted for 5,728 repeat bookings at the jail in 2025 and 7,367 people represent 52,000 visits at Parkland because they have no place to go.

3. Homelessness is not someone else’s problem. It needs to be addressed by the government.

4. Residents want the problems caused by tent cities and other homeless camps and street sleeping addressed.
1. Taxes are too high. If we experience an economic downturn or recession, it will be difficult for taxpayers to afford this tax rate. It is already difficult due to costs rising with inflation.

2. Funding services to reduce homelessness is not the responsibility of Dallas County government.

3. The plan does not have measurable objectives and commits the County to a five-year contract with the non-profit Housing Forward to receive and distribute the revenue from this portion of the tax rate. There is not a clear, proven relationship between such initiatives and reducing jail populations or court burdens.

4. In January 2026 Dallas County dedicated $10 million to Housing Forward, matching the allocation from the City of Dallas to help expand its downtown homeless outreach. The additional monies from this tax rate increase are more than the residents can afford in this time of inflation.
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