🌱 New Poll Ranks Dallas Safest City + Annual Budget Disagreements

Hello, friends! It's Wednesday in Dallas and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Hot. High: 106 Low: 84.

Here are the top three stories in Dallas today:

1. In a recent Gallup poll ranking 16 major U.S. cities based on safety perception, Dallas was ranked as the safest city, with 74 percent of respondents considering it safe. This aligns with Dallas officials' claims of reduced violent crime due to crime-reduction strategies. Dallas was the only city where more Republicans than Democrats viewed it as safe, and while overall reported crime is down almost 2 percent this year, car thefts have increased by 34 percent. (Axios)
2. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson is supporting a city council member's proposal to pass a budget without new city revenue, resulting in a decrease in the city's tax rate following a 10.5 percent increase in property values. The current budget proposed by city manager T.C. Broadnax aims to lower the tax rate from 74.58 cents per $100 valuation to 73.93 cents, with Johnson endorsing an alternative "no-new-revenue" plan put forth by Council Member Cara Mendelsohn, which maintains the same budget as the previous year but at a reduced tax rate of 68.38 cents per $100 valuation. Both plans include increased funding for public safety and specific improvements, with discussions and public hearings ongoing. (WFAA.com)
3. Brooklyn Kennett, an 11-year-old East Dallas resident, achieved a national title in the 7-12 age group as the SLICC Ambassador at the USA Ambassador Pageant held in Florida. The competition focused on community service involvement, speaking ability, and poise, where Kennett excelled. She earned six Gold Presidential Volunteer Service awards and runs her own charity platform called Care with Flair, Champions for Kids in Need, focusing on philanthropic endeavors such as Operation Christmas Child and volunteering at Feed My Starving Children. (Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate)

🏠 Want to see your real estate business featured in front of a growing audience of local buyers and sellers in Dallas? See how you can access our targeted and engaged audience through our exclusive newsletter sponsorships. Click here to learn more.

Today in Dallas:

Wednesday, August 23

• (Em)powerment Pop-Up At Martin Luther King Jr. Library And Learning Center (10:30 AM)
• Workshop Wednesdays With The Dallas Poet Laureate At Dallas Public Library (11:00 AM)
• Queer Comedy Writing Workshop At Sunrise Movement House (6:00 PM)

From our partner:

Do you know a teacher making a difference in Dallas? Nominate them here for a Teacher Spotlight on Patch.

From my notebook:

• DeLucca Gaucho Pizza & Wine, originating in Southlake and expanding to five Texas locations, is set to open new branches in Las Colinas and Fort Worth's Alliance Town Center under new ownership — with plans for potential further expansion in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. (Subscription: The Dallas Morning News)
• In case you missed it: Dallas Water Utilities repaired a 12-inch cast iron pipe break on North Stemmons Freeway on Monday that affected local businesses, including Homewood Suites and Whataburger. Repairs were completed and water service was restored Monday night. (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)
• Despite enduring more than 40 days of temperatures over 100 degrees this year, some individuals haven't utilized Dallas County's weatherization assistance program, which provides cooling support like air conditioners. The program is accessible by calling 214-819-1976 or emailing WAPassistance@dallascounty.org. Residents who qualify for the program can receive window air conditioning units and other cooling-related home repairs they might not otherwise afford. (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Debate Spaces Academy (September 9)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.