Eric Johnson, Mayor, City of Dallas

Reflecting on the past year, what would you say are the most significant milestones for the City of Dallas? How have these achievements positioned Dallas for future growth?

It’s truly been a great year for Dallas. As the ninth-largest city in America, Dallas achieved several significant milestones in key areas including public safety, parks, and property tax relief.

Dallas has been recognized across America as the safest major city in the nation. Defying national trends, violent crime is falling in our city for the fourth year in a row, with murders down more than 25% year-to-date. Since implementing the Violent Crime Reduction Plan in 2021, the city has seen violent crime incidents decrease by 20%. This progress is supported by continued investment in public safety. In 2024, Dallas passed both a $4.9 billion city budget and a $1.2 billion bond program that put public safety first.

Dallas also stands out as a national leader in urban parks development. In 2024, the Trust for Public Land ranked Dallas as having the best park system of any major Texas city, with 74% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park or trail. Over the past year, we have launched several innovative park projects including a transformative deck park in southern Dallas (Halperin Park) and a nature park along the Trinity River (Harold Simmons Park) that will soon be one of the largest parks in North Texas.

Regarding property tax relief, the Dallas City Council unanimously passed an annual budget that includes the largest single-year property tax rate decrease in Dallas history. These accomplishments position Dallas for continued growth and success, ensuring Dallas remains an attractive and thriving city for residents, businesses, and visitors.

With the passage of a record property tax cut, what economic and social impacts do you expect to see for both businesses and residents?

As mayor, one of my longstanding priorities has been providing meaningful property tax relief to Dallas residents. And in 2024, we passed the largest single-year property tax rate cut in the city’s history.

The benefits of reducing the city’s tax rate are clear. Reducing taxes puts more money back into the hands of Dallas residents, enabling greater participation in our local economy and small businesses. For homeowners, this relief eases a heavy financial burden. For both renters living in Dallas and prospective residents, a lower property tax rate makes homeownership more attainable.

Dallas has become a top destination for corporate relocations and investment, particularly in the tech and finance sectors. What makes Dallas an attractive market for these industries, and how do you plan to maintain this momentum?

Emerging from the pandemic, Dallas led the nation’s economic recovery and cemented our position as a premier business destination. Today, Dallas is recognized as the No. 2 financial capital in America, second only to New York City. This distinction has even earned us the nickname “Y’all Street.”

Over the past year, Dallas has continued this momentum with transformative developments such as the Texas Stock Exchange selecting Dallas as its headquarters. Our city benefits from Texas’ minimal red tape and business-friendly policies, and Dallas amplifies these advantages by fostering a business-friendly environment locally.

Dallas also continues to strategically invest in economic development through initiatives like the Economic Development Corporation and the multi-billion expansion of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center downtown — a project funded without raising taxes on residents.

Furthermore, Dallas is set apart by its status as a true international city. In 2024, we established our third trade office in the Dallas International District with Tanzania, complementing our existing trade offices with Europe and France. As the third-busiest airport in the world, the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport further enhances our city’s access to international business and travel, making Dallas an ideal city for global commerce.

Our city’s investment in parks is another key driver of economic growth. Parks not only enhance the quality of life for residents but also act as catalysts for economic development as they attract new residents and businesses. For example, Bank of America is constructing a new office building in downtown Dallas strategically located next to the city’s iconic Klyde Warren Park.

These strategic investments, combined with a continued commitment to fostering economic growth and maintaining a competitive edge, ensure Dallas will continue to thrive as a magnet for opportunity and investment in the years to come.

The latest city budget included significant increases in funding for the police and fire departments. How do these investments enhance safety and, in turn, bolster investor confidence in Dallas as a stable and secure environment for growth?

Public safety is the cornerstone of a thriving city. In Dallas, it remains our highest priority. Strategic investments in our police and fire departments ensure these critical public safety departments are well-staffed and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

This year’s city budget reflects this commitment, as Dallas unanimously approved a budget that puts public safety first by increasing funding for the Dallas Police Department and Dallas Fire-Rescue by nearly $80 million.

Additionally, the bond program passed by voters in 2024 prioritized investments in public safety facilities like the new Regional Law Enforcement Training Center at the University of North Texas at Dallas. Now in the design phase, this cutting-edge facility will enhance our police department’s training capabilities and strengthen recruitment efforts, helping us build a robust and well-trained police force.

These strategic investments make Dallas safer for existing residents and make Dallas a more attractive and secure environment for businesses and investors. Entrepreneurs and corporations are drawn to cities where their operations, employees, and customers are protected. A strong public safety record instills confidence and supports sustained economic growth. By putting public safety first, Dallas reinforces its reputation as a safe and business-friendly city, fostering opportunity, stability, and long-term prosperity.

With the upcoming World Cup bringing global attention to Dallas, what infrastructure and city improvements are being prioritized to prepare for this event?

Dallas is proud to host nine games of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — more than any other city — including a highly anticipated semi-final match. With an estimated 100,000 international visitors expected daily during the event, we are committed to showcasing Dallas as a world-class destination.

Extensive planning is already underway, involving dedicated committees addressing key areas such as safety and security, transportation, aviation, permits, marketing, public health, training venues and base camps, ticketing, and volunteer engagement.

On the infrastructure front, significant improvements are being planned including upgrades to wayfinding technology, physical infrastructure, and traffic operations.

Additionally, since the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center is set to host FIFA’s International Broadcast Center, significant capital investments are being made to optimize that facility as well.

All these improvements are aimed at ensuring Dallas takes full advantage of the World Cup to showcase our hospitality and our passion for soccer on a global stage.

Looking ahead to the next 2-3 years, what are your top priorities for the city of Dallas? What key conversations and plans are in progress to shape the future of the city?

A top priority for Dallas right now is the selection of our next city manager. With a council-manager form of government, Dallas relies on the city manager to oversee daily operations and implement public policy across nearly every municipal department from the police department to code compliance.

Choosing the right city manager is essential for Dallas’ continued success. We are focused on hiring a candidate who puts public safety first, prioritizes meaningful tax relief, spends our residents’ tax dollars responsibly, and delivers basic city services efficiently. Dallas needs a city manager who is transparent, accountable, and truly committed to serving the people of this city.

Over the past year, Dallas has achieved remarkable milestones, and securing the right city manager will help us sustain and build on that momentum. This decision is essential to ensuring Dallas continues to thrive as a national leader in public safety and business development and remains a city brimming with opportunity.