Nearly two decades after voters approved the $1.35 billion bond project in 2006, Dallas City Councilwoman Carla Mendelsohn said the delay was inefficient and “not good governance.” said.
The council members’ comments were made during an Oct. 16 City Council meeting, where elected officials were updated on the 2006 bond program and bonds passed in 2012 and 2017.
As officials develop implementation plans for the 10 bond proposals totaling $1.25 billion approved in May, the question arises: “What happened to these projects that were approved years ago?” A question has arisen.
Project delays can be caused by a variety of reasons, including changes in scope proposed by the developer or increased construction costs. A sleek dashboard created by the Office of Bond and Construction Management tracks projects in real time.
Watch the October 16th Dallas City Council meeting and see a slide presentation from the Bond Office.
2006 Bond Unencumbered Funds
Assistant City Manager Dev Rastogi explained the status of “unfunded funds” from 2005, 2012 and 2017 bonds. This term refers to funds that have not yet been awarded by the City Council, but have already been allocated to a specific project. Despite delays on some projects, approximately 2,760 commitments related to the 2006 Bonds were completed, leaving $3.6 million remaining.
“We will be able to take that funding and reprogram it,” Rastogi said.
October 16th presentation
Six projects account for 80% of the 2006 bond’s unencumbered funding. The deputy city manager explained that both were projects that city officials knew would take a long time. These include the $13.8 million Mill Creek Drainage Relief Project and the $3.9 million Dallas Spillway Expansion. Other unencumbered projects from 2006 include the Cadillac Heights land acquisition ($10.9 million), the Cockrell Hill-La Réunion to Singleton project ($5.2 million), and the Preston Royal Branch Library renovation ($3.8 million). ), and improvements to the American Disabilities Act ($2.2 million).
Rastogi also reviewed outstanding projects from the 2012 and 2017 bond programs, and while some funds remain unfunded, some projects from previous bonds are also expected to be completed in early 2025. He pointed out that it was planned.
Rastogi explained that Dallas did not have a bond and construction authority until the 2017 proposal was passed.
“I think it’s important to note that when we look back at 2006 and 2012, we didn’t really have that level of oversight,” she said.
“We want to make sure these projects are completed.”
In response to a question from Councilman Mendelsohn, Budget Director Janet Weedon said all bonds were issued for projects in 2006, 2012 and 2017.
“That cash can be used for projects that are still waiting to be completed,” she said.
carla mendelsohn
Mendelsohn asked why the old project was not completed before the new one was started. Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizer Tolbert said it is her “hope and expectation” that older projects will be completed first, but some are no longer viable.
“There are some projects that … definitely need to be brought back and we need to have a broader conversation,” Tolbert said. “The Cadillac Heights land acquisition, we definitely want to get it back.”
Mendelsohn said the Far North Dallas area is “ready to break ground” on several approved projects since 2017, including Frankford Park and Bent Tree Meadow Park.
“We were told that the finances were not in place, there was no guarantee capacity, there were no dollars available and we were being prioritized to the back of the line,” she said. “We want to make sure those projects are completed.”
Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Christina Turner Noteware said work plans have been developed and all park projects are moving forward. Two park projects in District 12 have already been advertised and are expected to be presented to City Council by the end of the year, she said.
Mendelsohn said she was shocked at how slow the process was.
“I urge city managers and park managers to look back at 2006, 2012 and 2017 and put them to sleep,” she said. “I think this is very problematic. It’s been 18 years since 2006… There are projects that were ready but are still sitting idle. Making government more efficient is something we all strive for. But the proof is in the pudding. These items will no longer be offered. What I’m concerned about is all the dollars here, not just the park. I think it’s not good governance to be able to continue to ask taxpayers to approve more debt when we don’t have access to the right projects.”
Not everyone shared Mendelsohn’s concerns. Councilor Carolyn King-Arnold said voters were happy to see “the dust flying” on a series of public works projects approved in the southern region in 2017.
“Voters are giving me good feedback,” she said. “That’s the key. Voters want to see their money and their money at work. I’m here to make sure their voices are heard about what they need and that I This is to hold people accountable and to be transparent.”
