Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit this week accusing the City of Dallas of failing to comply with a voter-approved charter amendment that requires increased funding for police and fire pensions and expanded police staffing.
The lawsuit, filed in Dallas County district court, alleges the city violated the terms of Proposition U, a measure approved by Dallas voters in November 2024. The amendment requires the city to allocate at least 50% of any new annual revenue to the police and fire pension system and to use remaining excess revenue to hire additional sworn officers and raise compensation.
Proposition U also sets a target of maintaining at least 4,000 full-time sworn police officers.
Paxton’s office contends city officials miscalculated how much excess revenue was available under the charter amendment. According to the lawsuit, Dallas reported roughly $61 million in excess revenue, while the state argues the amount should be closer to $220 million — a difference that would significantly increase the required police funding allocation.
The suit names City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert and Chief Financial Officer Jack Ireland Jr., alleging the city also failed to hire an independent third-party consultant to conduct an annual police compensation survey, another requirement outlined in the amendment.
In a statement announcing the lawsuit, Paxton said the measure reflects the will of Dallas voters and must be enforced. “The people of Dallas made clear that they want their police department fully funded and adequately staffed,” he said.
City officials have declined to comment in detail, citing pending litigation. In past budget discussions, Dallas leaders have said some revenue increases come from restricted sources that cannot legally be counted as “excess revenue” under the charter amendment’s language.
The lawsuit comes amid ongoing debate in Texas over public safety funding and the balance of authority between state officials and local governments. Dallas has increased its police budget in recent years and has worked to grow its force, though it remains below the 4,000-officer target set by Proposition U.
A court hearing date has yet to be immediately announced.