Understanding City Government: A Guide to Resolving Neighborhood Issues

Your trash isn’t being picked up. There’s a pothole interrupting your daily commute. A traffic sign on your street has fallen down after overnight storms.

City government is complicated. Knowing where to look when facing a neighborhood issue can be challenging. Here are some places to start.

Put in a 311 Request

311 is a dedicated phone number and service designed to help residents resolve non-emergency issues around their neighborhoods. A resident puts in a service request, which is then dispatched to the appropriate city department to handle the issue.

Open requests can be tracked through the city’s 311 portal. Across Dallas, an average of 1,505 service requests are created each day, according to the 311 dashboard.

There are three ways to put in a 311 request: by phone, online or through the app Dallas 311. Dial 311 within city limits or call 214-670-3111 to request services by phone. As of 2023, the portal and app are available in Spanish.

Contact Your City Council Member

Reach out to your individual City Council member with a concern via email or call their chief of staff. You can simultaneously email the mayor and all council members by filling out this form. Look up who your city council member is based on your street address using this interactive map.

Here is a list of City Council members and their contact information:

District 1: Chad West, chad.west@dallas.gov

District 2: Jesse Moreno, jesse.moreno@dallas.gov

District 3: Zarin D. Gracey, zarin.gracey@dallas.gov

District 4: Maxie Johnson, maxie.johnson@dallas.gov, 214-670-0780

District 5: Jaime Resendez, jaime.resendez@dallas.gov

District 6: Laura Cadena, laura.cadena@dallas.gov, 214-670-4199

District 7: Adam Bazaldua, adam.bazaldua@dallas.gov

District 8: Lorie Blair, lorie.blair@dallas.gov

District 9: Paula Blackmon, paula.blackmon@dallas.gov

District 10: Kathy Stewart, katherine.stewart@dallas.gov, 214-670-5958

District 11: Bill Roth, william.roth@dallas.gov

District 12: Cara Mendelsohn, cara.mendelsohn@dallas.gov

District 13: Gay Donnell Willis, gay.willis@dallas.gov

District 14: Paul E. Ridley, paul.ridley@dallas.gov

Watch or Attend a City Council Meeting

City Council meets every other Wednesday, beginning at 9 a.m., except for the annual July recess. Attend in person at City Hall or watch online. Register to speak at a City Council meeting at this link. The deadline to register to speak at a council meeting is 5 p.m. the last business day before the meeting.

Reach Out to a Specific Department

If you know which department is handling your service request, you can reach out directly based on the information in this directory. The code compliance department handles issues like overgrown vegetation, illegal dumping or substandard conditions. The transportation and public works department is responsible for streetlights, crosswalks, bicycle lanes and routine street maintenance.

Conclusion

Resolving neighborhood issues can be a challenging and confusing process. However, by understanding the different resources available, such as 311 requests, City Council members, and specific departments, residents can take the first step in addressing their concerns. Remember to stay informed and engaged in your community to create a better living environment for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the purpose of the 311 service?

A: The 311 service is designed to help residents resolve non-emergency issues around their neighborhoods by providing a dedicated phone number and online portal to submit service requests.

Q: How do I contact my City Council member?

A: You can contact your City Council member via email or by calling their chief of staff. You can also use the interactive map to find your City Council member based on your street address.

Q: What departments are responsible for handling specific issues?

A: The code compliance department handles issues like overgrown vegetation, illegal dumping or substandard conditions, while the transportation and public works department is responsible for streetlights, crosswalks, bicycle lanes and routine street maintenance.

Q: How do I register to speak at a City Council meeting?

A: You can register to speak at a City Council meeting by filling out the registration form online. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. the last business day before the meeting.