STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Fiscally Sound
AGENDA DATE: September 17, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): N/A
DEPARTMENT: Budget and Management Services
EXECUTIVE: Jack Ireland
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SUBJECT
Title
An ordinance amending Chapters 2, 6A, 9A, 14, 15D, 17, 18, 19, 27, 41A, 47A, 48A, 48C, and 49 of the Dallas City Code (1) amending fees, charges, and rates relating to stormwater drainage; (2) amending fees for amusement centers, billiard halls, and dance halls; (3) amending the fees for sanitation services, including a new safety vest fee; (4) amending ambulance company and driver’s permit fees; (5) amending wrecker fees; (6) amending food protection inspection and permit fees; (7) amending liquid waste transporter fees; (8) amending housing and property standards registration, nuisance abatement, and habitual criminal property fees; (9) amending sexually oriented business license and survey fees; (10) amending transportation for hire permit fees; (11) amending vehicle tow service fees (12) amending vehicle immobilization service fees; (13) adjusting rates and charges for treated water service, wastewater service, wholesale water and wastewater service, water treatment, untreated water service, meter and backflow inspection and testing fees, security deposits for residential service accounts, fire hydrant usage, evaluated cost tables for oversize, side, or off-site facilities, industrial surcharge formulas, liquid waste disposal fees, and compliance sampling fees; (14) providing a penalty not to exceed $2,000; (15) providing a saving clause; (16) providing a severability clause; and (17) providing an effective date- Estimated Revenue: General Fund ($1,682,578), Dallas Water Utilities Fund ($48,592,051), Stormwater Drainage Management Fund ($4,721,866), Sanitation Operation Fund ($2,558,371), Transportation Regulation Fund ($202,634)
Body
BACKGROUND
In compliance with the City’s Financial Performance Management Criteria (FMPC) #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 2025-26 budget includes changes to various fees. This ordinance will amend fees authorized for various Code Compliance Services, Dallas Police Department Services, Non-Departmental Services, and Transportation Regulation Services. The City maintains non-exclusive franchise agreements with utilities and other service providers, such as private solid waste haulers, that use the City’s rights of way to provide services to the public. These franchise agreements provide for compensation to the City. There is an estimated increase of $1,682,578 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 $48,592,051 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 $4,721,866 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 $2,558,371 to Sanitation revenues.
The Transportation Regulation fees support the City’s efforts to oversee and enforce permitting, licensing, and operational compliance for private transportation services such as taxis, limousines, ride-for-hire vehicles, motor vehicle tows, and emergency wreckers. These revenues ensure public safety, consumer protection, and consistent standards across the industry. Estimated increase of $202,634 to Transportation Regulation revenues.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The City Council was briefed on the “City Manager’s Recommended Biennial Budget for FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27” on August 12, 2025. This presentation included information about the proposed fee adjustments.
FISCAL INFORMATION
Estimated Revenue:
- General Fund: $1,682,578
- Dallas Water Utilities Fund: $48,592,051
- Stormwater Drainage Management Fund: $4,721,866
- Sanitation Operation Fund: $2,558,371
- Transportation Regulation Fund: $202,634