Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax announced Friday morning that 472 municipal employees will be furloughed through at least July 31 as the city faces economic challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
“A furlough is a very difficult decision to make, but it is necessary to reduce our immediate staffing expenses and manage the anticipated budget shortfall of an estimated $25 million in the current fiscal year,” said Catherine Cuellar, a city of Dallas spokesperson.
As sales taxes and other municipal revenues have evaporated during the pandemic while businesses have been forced closed, Cuellar explained the city is expecting an additional shortfall of between $73 million and $134 million for the fiscal year that starts in October.
“But I want to assure City of Dallas employees and the people of Dallas that I will continue to advocate for equity and fairness as we seek federal assistance and work to reduce our expenses while maintaining as many key services as possible.”
In Houston, Mayor Sylvester Turner also forecasted furloughs for the next fiscal year in what could be “the worst budget that the city will deal with in its history.”
