PILLAR: Fiscally Sound
AGENDA DATE: September 16, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): N/A
DEPARTMENT: Budget and Management Services
PRIORITY: N/A
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SUBJECT
Title
An ordinance amending Chapters 2, 7, 7A, 8A, 12B, 15D, 16, 17, 18, 20A, 27, 38A, 42, 43A, 48B, 49, 50, 51A, and 52 of the Dallas City Code and Section 1 of Ordinance 19860 as passed by the city council on February 10, 1988; (1) amending fees, charges, and rates relating to stormwater drainage; (2) amending fees for animal adoption and dangerous and aggressive dog registration; (3) amending emergency ambulance service fees; (4) amending fees for fire code permits, registrations, inspections, and reinspections; (5) amending sanitation service charges and definitions; (6) amending landfill and transfer station fees; (7) amending mixed income housing development bonus fees; (8) amending wholesale water and wastewater service rates; (9) amending water treatment fees; (10) amending untreated water rates; (11) amending backflow prevention device inspection and testing fees; (12) amending water service connection fees; (13) amending evaluated cost tables for oversize, side or off-site facilities; (14) amending liquid waste transporter registration and disposal fees; (15) amending service connection permit processing fees; (16) amending fire flow test fees; (17) amending compliance sampling fees; (18) amending convenience fees for credit and debit card transactions; (19) amending the rates for 911 landlines for residential customers; (20) providing a penalty not to exceed $2,000; (21) providing a saving clause; (22) providing a severability clause; and (23) providing an effective date - Estimated Revenue: General Fund ($3,895,660), Dallas Water Utilities Fund ($5,855,257), Stormwater Drainage Management Fund ($6,793,049), Sanitation Operation Fund ($5,053,613), Mixed Income Housing Development Fund (-$5,890), 9-1-1 System Operations Fund ($3,566,173)
Body
BACKGROUND
In compliance with the City’s Financial Performance Management Criteria (FMPC) No.12, the City conducts an annual review of selected fees and charges to determine the extent to which the City is recovering the full cost of associated services. The FY 2026-27 budget includes changes to various fees. This ordinance will amend fees authorized for Dallas Fire-Rescue and Dallas Animal Services. There is an estimated increase of $3,895,660 to General Fund revenues in accordance with the fee study.
The Dallas Water Utilities Department is supported solely by revenues from the sale of water and wastewater services. This ordinance will amend fees and retail and wholesale rates to provide sufficient revenues for furnishing water and wastewater service to Dallas and its customer cities. Estimated increase of $5,855,257 to Dallas Water Utilities Department revenues.
The Stormwater Drainage Management fees support City efforts to ensure compliance with state and federal surface water regulations and maintain stormwater drainage and flood protection systems. Estimated increase of $6,793,049 to Stormwater Drainage Management revenues.
Sanitation Services residential collection is supported by fees charged to recover the cost of providing once-weekly residential garbage and recycling collection, citywide dead animal collection, and monthly brush and bulk collection. Additionally, the McCommas Bluff Landfill is supported by a portion of residential collection fees allocated for disposal and by revenues from customers using the landfill for disposal of solid waste. Estimated increase of $5,053,613 to Sanitation revenues.
9-1-1 Systems Operation Services is supported by fees collected by telecommunication service providers and is used 911-eligible expenses. Estimated increase of $3,566,173 to 9-1-1 Systems Operations Fund.
Mixed Income Housing Development Bonus Program generates revenue for the Mixed Income Housing Development Bonus Fund by assessing fees to developers who apply for zoning bonuses and commit to providing a required share of income-restricted units. Funds deposited into the Mixed Income Housing Development Bonus Fund may be used only to support fair-housing-focused programs authorized by the City’s comprehensive housing policy, fund data and analysis that strengthen those programs, and cover the staff and administrative costs necessary to operate the mixed-income housing development bonus program and manage the fund. This Program is facilitated by Planning & Development, Office of Housing & Community Empowerment, and the Office of Economic Development. Estimated decrease of $5,890 to the Mixed Income Housing Development Fund.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The City Council was briefed on the “City Manager’s Recommended Biennial Budget for FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28” on August 11, 2026. This presentation included information about the proposed fee adjustments.
FISCAL INFORMATION
Estimated Revenue: General Fund ($3,895,660), Dallas Water Utilities Fund ($5,855,257), Stormwater Drainage Management Fund ($6,793,049), Sanitation Operation Fund ($5,053,613), Mixed Income Housing Development Fund (-$5,890), 9-1-1 System Operations Fund ($3,566,173)