The City of Dallas, Texas, operates under a council-manager form of government, combining political leadership from elected officials with the managerial experience of a professionally trained city manager. The government oversees a wide range of services, including public safety, infrastructure, economic development, and municipal courts.

Leadership Structure

Mayor

• Eric L. Johnson is the 60th and current Mayor of Dallas.

• First elected in June 2019 and re-elected in May 2023 with a historic 98.7% of the vote.

• Formerly a member of the Texas House of Representatives.

• Serves as the city’s highest-profile elected official, setting vision and priorities and working with city, regional, and state leaders.

City Council

• The Dallas City Council includes 14 members, each representing one of the city’s council districts.

• Council members are responsible for policy-making, approving the budget, and representing residents’ interests.

• Together with the mayor, they form a 15-member legislative body.

City Manager

• Kimberly Bizor Tolbert serves as the City Manager, the top administrative official.

• Oversees day-to-day operations of city departments and implements policies set by the Mayor and City Council.

• Provides executive leadership to departments such as Dallas Water Utilities, Aviation, Human Resources, and the Office of Homeless Solutions.

Dallas voters recently rejected a proposal to adopt a “strong-mayor” form of government, choosing to maintain the current council-manager system.

Public Safety

Dallas Police Department

• Headed by Chief Edgardo “Eddie” Garcia since February 2021.

• Comprised of approximately 3,100 officers.

• Headquarters located in the Cedars neighborhood of South Dallas.

Dallas Fire-Rescue Department

• Led by Chief Dominique Artis.

• Employs 1,670 full-time firefighters.

• Operates 57 fire stations across the city, organized into 2 divisions and 9 battalions.

• Services include fire suppression, EMS, hazardous materials response, swift water and urban search and rescue.

• Trains all paramedics at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

• Home to the Dallas Firefighter’s Museum, located at the city’s oldest remaining fire station near Fair Park.

• The Chief Dodd Miller Training Academy serves as a regional training hub for fire recruits from across the Metroplex.

Municipal Courts

• The Dallas Municipal Court System handles Class C misdemeanors, such as traffic violations and city ordinance offenses.

• Plays a vital role in the local justice system and ensures city laws are upheld.

Budget and Finance

• The city’s budget continues to grow alongside Dallas’s population and infrastructure needs:

  • 2002–2003: $1.72 billion

  • 2005–2006: $2.22 billion

  • 2006–2007: $2.34 billion

• Funds support essential services including public safety, street maintenance, housing, and neighborhood revitalization.

Crime Statistics

• From 1998–2005, Dallas had the highest overall crime rate among U.S. cities with populations over 1 million.

• The city saw a peak in homicides in 1991 (500 murders), with a steady decline in the early 2000s.

• In 2005, Dallas was ranked the most dangerous among the ten largest U.S. cities, though overall crime has trended downward in recent years.