PILLAR: Vibrant
AGENDA DATE: December 10, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 7 9
DEPARTMENT: Park & Recreation Department
PRIORITY: N/A
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize a twelve-month annual funding agreement with the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society, Inc. to provide services and program support within the city of Dallas for the period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 - Not to exceed $411,000.00 - Financing: General Fund
Body
BACKGROUND
On March 23, 1988, the City entered into a multi-year agreement with the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society, Inc. (DABS), a non-profit organization, to manage and operate the Dallas Arboretum. The agreement was for a 25-year period.
The agreement was modified on June 26, 2013, by Resolution No. 13-1072 to extend the term of the agreement through March 23, 2033. The management agreement with DABS does not automatically authorize funding, therefore a separate program funding contract to authorize the stipend payable during the current year is requested. The funds have been identified and appropriated in the City’s General Fund by authorization of the City Council, and after the approval by the Park and Recreation Board for the current fiscal year.
This is a recurring annual funding agreement.
The stipend payments will support the following programs and services for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
Services to be provided are operate and maintain the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden for the general public, and provide special educational programs, community outreach services and sponsorship of a special summer program for disadvantaged children for 12 months.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On December 13, 2017, the City Council authorized a twelve-month funding agreement with the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society, Inc. in the amount of $394,098.00 to provide services and programs within the City of Dallas for the period October 1, 2017, through September 30, 2018, by Resolution No. 17-1884.
On December 20, 2018, the City Council authorized a twelve-month funding agreement with the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society, Inc. in the amount of $394,098.00 to provide services and programs within the City of Dallas for the period October 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019, by Resolution No. 18-1821.
On November 18, 2019, the City Council authorized a twelve-month funding agreement with the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society, Inc. in the amount of $394,098.00 to provide services and programs within the City of Dallas for the period January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020, by Resolution No. 19-1787.
On December 9, 2020, the City Council authorized a twelve-month funding agreement with the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society, Inc. in the amount of $374,393.00 to provide services and programs within the City of Dallas for the period January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021, by Resolution No. 20-1916.
On December 21, 2022, the City Council authorized a twenty-four-month funding agreement with the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society, Inc. to provide services and programs within the City of Dallas in the amount of $374,393.00 for the period January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, and the amount of $424,393.00 for the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023 by Resolution No. 21-1995.
On January 16, 2024, the City Council authorized a twenty-four-month funding agreement with the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society, Inc. to provide services and programs within the City of Dallas in the amount of $424,393.00 for the period January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, and the amount of $424,393.00 for the period of January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025 by Resolution No. 23-1685.
On September 18, 2024, the City Council approved the City’s operating budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which reflected the City’s funding reduction to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society, inc. by three percent by Resolution No. 24-2621.
On September 18, 2025, the City Council approved the City’s operating budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which reflected the City’s funding reduction to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society, Inc., by three percent by Resolution No. 25-1487.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2026 |
FY 2027 |
Future Years |
|
General Fund |
$411.000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
CHAIRS/EXECUTIVES
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society, Inc.
Regina Montoya, Chairman
David Sassaon, Vice-Chair
Amanda Hill, Secretary
Kristy Romo, Treasurer
MAP
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