Dallas raises property taxes, public safety salaries.

• Position: News Briefs - Brief Article

The Dallas City Council passed a $1.7 billion budget September 30 that included a higher property tax rate and a 5 percent pay raise for police officers and firefighters. The 2003 budget maintains last year's funding levels for city services, but also includes 60 layoffs. The owner of a $100,000 house will now have to pay an additional $92.64 in city taxes next year, a 16 percent increase. The rate increase was needed to make up for a $95 million revenue shortfall. Dallas Mayor Laura Miller decided that Dallas residents would prefer paying slightly higher taxes to...