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Connecting You With City Information, News, and Resources
COVID-19, Ever-Changing
Hello District 12,

It seems that things are changing quickly and very slowly at the same time. What is quick - lots of changes to city, county, and state regulations and openings, along with new programs, all related to COVID-19. It can be tough just to keep up. What is going slowly, the time since we've been able to see our loved ones, participate in school events, travel, or even going to the office. Everything is strange and different, from shopping to our day to day life.

Like you, I'm going with the flow and trying to help shape a plan for how we can get back to a new normal that keeps our most vulnerable people healthy and allows our economy to open back up. COVID-19 has caused devastation in every way, and the pain of our loss of loved ones, our businesses, jobs, faith community connections, and family life cycle events can't be underestimated.

I encourage you to stay plugged in to the latest information, whether you choose TV news, accurate websites, or even social media to stay abreast of what is happening.

The city remains in a state of emergency, although certain city services are reopening and city council committee meetings have resumed via video conference. Additional openings will be continuing in the next several weeks.

As always, if I can assist you in any way, please reach out by email or call and leave a message with the district office and we will return your call. We have added weekly Virtual Town Hall meetings to allow for your input and questions, and we'd love to have you join us. There is information below on how to register.

Wishing you and your family good health,
Cara
COVID-19 Resources

(comprehensive listing of resources)

(this includes rental assistance, how to file for unemployment, job resources, food assistance, help paying utilities, mental health resources, business loan information and other important resources)

Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center
Mortgage and Rental Assistance Program
The need for this program in Dallas was shown by the overwhelming response. As a first-come, first-serve program, it was shut down in less than 18 hours with many more complete applications than can be funded. Additional programs will continue to be developed as funding allows. Dallas County is proposing a plan, although the eligibility of Dallas residents is unknown. For now, applications are being processed and applicants will be contacted soon.
Virtual Town Hall Meetings
We've set up a schedule for weekly virtual town hall meetings in D12. You're invited! If you'd like to participate today (Thursday) with our special guest North Texas Food Bank CEO Trisha Cunningham, please message us now to get the link.

The agenda is quite simple, a quick greeting, introduction of our guest, a few minutes from the guest on what is happening in their field, a quick update about things happening at city hall, and then it's YOU - your questions, your input, your chance to share what is on your mind. So while we can't be together for Coffee With Cara, we can connect from the convenience of your home. Schedule is below. ps- you can still have coffee!
BRUSH/BULK TRASH UPDATE
Brush and bulk trash collections are delayed in many areas of Dallas due to higher than usual set out volumes. With so many people at home, it appears we've all been busy cleaning out garages, attics, doing home improvement projects, and lots of yard work! The Sanitation Department asks for your patience as they work to keep up with the current increases in volumes. Please set your items out as scheduled.

-A private contractor has been hired to help with collection
-Crews are working 6 days a week
-Week 4 estimated completion date is 5/13 (with 7000+ tons!)
-Week 1 estimated completion is 5/21
-Week 2 estimated completion is 5/28
-Code compliance will not be issuing violations for bulk trash violations during this time in the affected areas.
Veterans Treatment Court
Dallas has a specialty court for veterans with unresolved tickets. If you know a veteran that needs a helping hand, please share this resource. It's open every Monday.
Environmental Issues
Dallas is on target to pass a Comprehensive Environmental Climate Action Plan this month after years of work to help reduce the heat island effect, provide cleaner air (let's say goodbye to red ozone days), among other issues. Last week the city received a $600,000 grant from the EPA to help revitalize the Fair Park area.
Property Taxes
Your county tax assessor (Collin, Denton or Dallas) will soon be sending out property tax notices. You'll have 30 days to protest. The value of your property is multiplied by the tax rate set by all the taxing entities - the city, county, school district, community college, and for Dallas county, Parkland Hospital.

As we all know, the tax rate for the city has not been increasing, but the value of your property has been increasing greatly, so many people have seen a big increase in their property tax bill every year. The property valuation is determined as of January 1. Last legislative session, the Texas Legislature passed a bill (SB2) that basically limits the amount of increase in property tax for a property without going to a vote by the citizens to 3.5% with some exceptions. The pandemic is an exception.

For the city of Dallas, the budget is expected to have a shortfall of $77 - $114 million due to the severe reduction in sales tax revenue. There will be serious conversations about priorities, needs and wants, tax rate, how we deliver service, staffing, etc... District 12 is just one of 14 city districts, and not all have the same perspective or priorities. I have heard people across the political spectrum in D12 say they do not want and can't sustain a tax increase. I am hearing people say taxes are pricing them out of their homes, they do not have confidence their tax dollars are being spent carefully, and during the time of Coronavirus, many of our residents are out of work or suffering severe financial losses.

Please know I am committed to NOT raising property taxes, and committed to prioritizing public safety (police, fire, EMS), improving infrastructure (streets, alleys, traffic signals), helping our most vulnerable, and doing city business in smarter and more efficient ways. The city budget is on the city website (something I worked hard to get done!).

I am asking for your input on the budget and am open to hearing your ideas on how and what to cut, how to deliver services differently, and your input on the tax rate. You can provide input by emailing me, leaving a voicemail, join a virtual town hall meeting, emailing all city council members, or signing up to speak at a city council meeting (3 minutes max).
#ThankfulThursday
Times are tough, but taking a few minutes to show our thanks to essential worker reminds us of the goodness of our neighbors and the people around us. So on Thursday at 7 pm, take a step outside and make some noise to thank our health care workers, first responders, code compliance, sanitation workers, teachers, grocery workers, truck drivers, and all the people that have kept us going while they have been on the front lines.
Businesses in Denton County
If you have a business in Denton county that has been impacted by COVID-19, the county has launched a business grant program with $2.2 million dollars called OPEN (Operational Plan for Economic Normalization). Guidelines are online at www.dentoncounty.gov/OPEN or by calling (940) 349-4280. Applications close 5/20 at noon. You must have 50 employees or less.
Help for Restaurant Workers
Laid-off or furloughed restaurant workers can receive emergency financial assistance of $500-$1000 through a special fund at Jewish Family Service Dallas. Details below.
Do You Want to Get COVID-19 Tested?
Free testing is available at two Federal testing centers in Dallas. The closest one is at American Airlines Center, open daily 8 am - 5 pm. You just show up. I have done it and it is a very professional, simple process. You never leave your car, and your car window is up nearly the whole time. You are eligible to be tested if you an employee of a grocery store, big box store, or other essential in-person retail, a healthcare worker, first responder, OR if you have a temperature of 99.6 or higher, OR if you are 65 years old or older OR if you have a chronic health condition (diabetes, asthma, heart issues, etc...).

The testing was supposed to end May 30th, but has now been extended to June 30th. I am very thankful to Mayor Johnson's leadership in this effort and the assistance of Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, along with Congressmen Collin Allred, Van Taylor, Lance Gooden, and Eddie Bernice Johnson. On Wednesday, the city council unanimously approved a mobile testing program for people who do not have cars using federal dollars designated for COVID-19.
Census 2020
About 50% of Dallas residents have completed the Census. In District 12, we've got the second-highest percent of participation, but we haven't hit 60% yet. Every person who participates helps make sure that needed roads, hospitals, schools, and social services are funded in the community. Without your participation, the federal tax dollars go to other communities. Please take a few minutes to go to www.2020census.gov or call 855-562-2020 and complete your census today. Your help in sharing this message with your friends is so appreciated!
Crime in District 12 & the City of Dallas
Crime is down in many categories for our area and I know we are all thankful for the hard work of the DPD, especially our officers at the North Central station. Family violence, murder, intimidation, simple assault, arson, embezzlement, motor vehicle theft, robbery of business, robbery of an individual, credit card/atm theft, prostitution are all down, and D12 has the least number of crimes in Dallas.

But there are some categories way up, and your awareness can help reduce crime. Please make sure you LOCK YOUR CAR, especially if you have a gun in your car. Please lock your doors and windows when you leave your home. If you have an issue, please call 911. If you have a tip to report, please use the iWatchDallas app, where you can report tips and photos either anonymously or with your name. Here are the categories where crime is up in D12 through the end of April:

Aggravated Assault - up 87% in district 12, 43 cases year to date
Aggravated Assault - up 35% in the city, 1255 cases year to date

Burglary-Business - up 11% in district 12, 30 cases year to date
Burglary-Business - up 12% in the city, 1443 cases year to date

Burglary-Residence - up 41% in district 12, 72 cases year to date
Burglary-Residence - down 10% in the city, 1329 cases to date

Theft from a Motor Vehicle - up 22% in district 12, 159 cases year to date
Theft from a Motor Vehicle - up 3% in the city, 3780 cases year to date

Drug/narcotic violations - up 90% in district 12, 40 cases year to date
Drug/narcotic violations - up 17% in the city, 1900 cases year to date
City Budget
The City of Dallas funds services to you in two main ways, one through property taxes, the other through a portion of sales tax. With COVID-19, sales tax revenue is significantly lower than projected. This means the city will not meet expected revenue for the year, and we have a balanced budget requirement. For now, the only way we can balance the budget is to cut expenses. The city manager announced a furlough of nearly 500 employees that became effective on Wednesday. Most were employees that had been paid since early March, but were unable to work from home, and were not expected to be able to return to work quickly. During the furlough, the employees, who are mostly part-time, will be able to retain health benefits and collect unemployment. With the current $600/week additional unemployment benefit, many will be earning more than their wages with the city.

As part of the legislative ad hoc, I have participated with the Mayor in talking to our Congressmen about the need for funding flexibility in the Coronavirus Relief Act. This act provided Dallas and other large cities with significant funds to address our direct expenses related to COVID-19, but did not allow us to use those funds to replace lost revenue.

There are a number of challenges in balancing the budget, including the delay in receiving sales tax receipt information. For now, we are anticipating a budget hole that was approximately $34 million, reduced to $25 million by eliminating expenses, then reduced to $20 million with the furlough. Obviously, very significant cuts are ahead if we do not get flexibility in the Coronavirus Relief Act funds.
Do You Live in University Place?
If you are an owner of a home in University Place, there is an opportunity to serve on a special board that meets just a couple of times a year. This board will have an important role in developing an area of South Dallas and will allocate dollars to improvements in University Place. If you are interested, please contact me at the email below.
Streets & Traffic Signals
There was a recent council discussion about delaying spending on street maintenance (article link above). Please know that I, and a few other council members, pushed back on that proposal. Our streets are failing in places all over the city and the low level of investment that the city has made in infrastructure over the last 10 years means the streets will deteriorate more every year until we invest in maintaining them.

More than 60% of our traffic lights are over 30 years old, with the majority approaching 50 years (with a 20-25 year lifespan) and we can't wait to replace them with updated technology and dependable service. Yesterday an item passed council that will replace several traffic lights in District 12, leveraging funds from several other sources with a city match. I believe we must prioritize infrastructure maintenance over vanity projects to be good stewards of our city budget and provide the level of services our residents expect and deserve.
Need help, got a question, or want to give input?

Email: Cara.Mendelsohn@DallasCityHall.com
Office phone: (214) 670-4067
Text phone: (214) 490-1036