Dallas Proposes $480M+ in Tech Funding Across Two-Year Budget

The city of Dallas’ proposed $5.2 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 dedicates more than $480 million across two years for technology investments, encompassing core IT infrastructure, emergency communications, enterprise data platforms and modernization initiatives across multiple departments.

The largest share, $389 million, falls under Information and Technology Services (ITS), which manages citywide data systems, cybersecurity, application support, cloud hosting and radio networks. The ITS budget totals $187 million in FY 2025-26 and $201 million in FY 2026-27.

Within that:

• ITS-Data accounts for $148.5 million in FY 2025-26 and $151.5 million in FY 2026-27, covering cloud services, application development, cybersecurity operations, infrastructure management and project oversight.
• ITS-911 program adds $18.3 million in FY 2025-26 and $28.5 million in FY 2026-27.
• ITS-Radio contributes $20.3 million in FY 2025-26 and $20.8 million in FY 2026-27.

The Dallas Police Department receives targeted allocations for technology upgrades, including $2 million in FY 2025-26 and $3 million in FY 2026-27 to support its CAD/RMS transition. Additional funds across both years include $1.4 million for Flock license plate reader contracts, $1.5 million for Axon body-worn cameras and $950,000 for cloud-based CCTV with AI-enabled search.

Dallas Fire-Rescue dedicates $32.8 million in FY 2025-26 and $33.3 million in FY 2026-27 to its Fire Dispatch and Communications program, which supports CAD, radio and mobile data terminal systems.

Other departments also have significant technology programs. Data Analytics and Business Intelligence is budgeted at $5.6 million in FY 2025-26 and $5.7 million in FY 2026-27, supporting the city’s enterprise data platform and leading AI implementation. The Office of Communications and Customer Experience earmarks $1.3 million for AI tools to modernize 311 operations.

The budget also supports enterprise services beyond ITS. Human Resources may receive $1.8 million in FY 2025-26 and $1.9 million in FY 2026-27 for Workday optimization and HR technology improvements. Equipment and Fleet Management allocates $1.3 million annually for technology integration and support.

In addition, Dallas’ proposed budget contains smaller departmental allocations for data services, software maintenance and programming.

The Dallas City Council is scheduled to consider and vote on adoption of the proposed budget on Sept. 18.