Dallas Budgets $174M for IT Services in FY 25

The city of Dallas is in a new fiscal year with a total budget of $4.97 billion, and Information and Technology Services (ITS) is set to spend about $174 million across its 911, data and radio areas.

The budget for ITS — Data sits at $139.6 million and includes GIS, business technology services, internal computing and desktop support, internal telephone and data communication, public safety technology support and strategic technology management.

Internal Radio Communication's budget is $19 million, and 911 has $15.3 million.

While multiple city budget lines were adjusted from the previous year, many have “added” funding above $1 million. Specifically listed under ITS “major budget items,” with rounding, are:

• $4.4 million added to replace the legacy Incode court case management system
• $2.2 million in increased funding for VMware and Linux
• $1.3 million added for a human resources case management solution
• $1.3 million added for an enterprise work order and asset management system
• $1 million in one-time funding for IT governance

Strategic moves that may be of interest to technology and staffing vendors are:

• First responder fleet replacements and equipment
• Recruitment and retention of 911 communications professionals
• SMART City and digital investments
• Communication enhancement via 311 and related services
• More diversity in procurements

The budget runs Oct. 1 through Sept. 30 each year. Brian Gardner is the interim CIO and has been with ITS for more than six years.

The City Council worked with the city’s interim leadership to streamline the budget, offices and some staffing, as reflected in this year’s budget meetings. Dallas has an interim city manager and is also seeking a replacement police chief. Both the previous city manager and police chief have exited to the city of Austin.