Funding increase for police is OK’D

The Dallas City Council approved a $3.8 billion budget for the 2021 fiscal year that includes increasing police spending by nearly $8 million despite calls to cut its funding.

After meeting for more than 12 hourswednesday, the overall budget of about $3.8 billion was passed by a 9-6 vote. By contrast, the budget was approved unanimously last year.

The debate was over the general revenue budget, which makes up more than a fourth of the overall budget and represents the discretionary spending that the council can change. The fund includes salaries for police, fire and city hall employees and departments.

The police department budget will increase from $501 million in 2020 to an estimated $509 million for 2021, WFAA-TV reported.

Local activists offered a counterproposal to cut $200 million from the police budget, but it received no support.

Many council members said many residents opposed budget cuts to the

police department.

Councilmember Lee Kleinman voted against the budget, saying the City Council missed an opportunity for police reform.

“We will never see change in this city if we couldn't do it this year when we actually had an opportunity,” Kleinman said. “And we just squandered it.”

Councilmembers also voted 11-4 to approve an amendment that cut police overtime by $7 million.

Despite calls to defund departments, San Antonio and Houston also have increased police spending by $8 million and $20 million, respectively.