Comeaux On Top

Good evening:

The next Dallas police chief is coming full circle in a career that began as a Houston street cop and saw him rise to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) leadership posts in major cities in Mississippi and California before his return to Houston in 2021.

As DEA Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Field Division, Daniel Comeaux (pronounced “Co-Mo”) oversees the largest of the DEA’s divisions, including 12 offices serving 16 million people. He was presented to Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert with glowing recommendations from associates across the country who worked with him over his 33-year career.

Tolbert gave the New Orleans native the nod over four other finalists, including interim Dallas Police Chief Michael Igo, in part because of how well he aligned with nearly every key qualification outlined in the advertisement for the job.

Those who have worked with him say he is an innovative and inspirational leader who fosters community partnerships. He is also said to be a strong communicator, critical for what is perhaps the most visible and public staff position in Dallas government.

There is little question his federal government experience working under both Republican and Democrat administrations was appealing in this increasingly hostile political environment. He has specific relevant expertise on drug and human trafficking, fentanyl interdiction, and border issues generally.

Still, Tolbert is facing what sounds like lukewarm support for her decision from some police association leaders, as reported by The Dallas Morning News. That is not terribly surprising, as many in and around City Hall assumed Igo was the favorite to secure the job. Comeaux is also the third straight chief to come from outside the department.

Those coalition building and communications skills will certainly be put to the test for Chief Comeaux from day one, which is Wednesday, April 23.

📖 Table of Contents

• 🗳️ Candidates of Interest

• 📰 Highlights From Last Week's Meetings

• 📝 Memos of Interest

• 🤝 Meetings of Interest: April 14 - 18

  • Monday, April 14

    • Workforce, Education, and Equity Committee

    • Public Safety Committee

  • Tuesday, April 15

    • Ethics Advisory Commission

    • DART Committee-of-the-Whole

  • Wednesday, April 16

    • Dallas City Council Briefing

  • Thursday, April 17

    • Dallas Park and Recreation Board

🗳️ Candidates of Interest

Our special series on candidates in the upcoming May City Council elections concludes with a focus on our final two races. Early voting starts on April 22. Election Day is May 3.

📰 Highlights From Last Week’s Meetings of Interest

• City Council members appear divided over proposals to reduce or eliminate parking requirements, KERA reports from a committee discussion. The years-long discussion could be up for a full City Council discussion as soon as next month.

• Dallas City Council members on Wednesday voted to accept (with conditions) the donation of a slice of land that was the subject of a lease dispute that threatened to close the Downtown flagship Neiman Marcus store last month. Saks Global has since delayed closure at least through the end of this year as negotiations for a long-term extension continue. Read more from WFAA and the Dallas Business Journal.

📝 Memos of Interest

• The City’s fiscal 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report highlights strong financial performance and growth. The city received a clean audit opinion and maintained a steady 3.9% unemployment rate while adding 74,800 jobs in the region. Key milestones include a record $198.3 billion property tax base (see above), $7 billion in construction permits, and major projects including the $3 billion Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center redevelopment. Read more.

• Speaking of the convention center, the project is in the schematic design phase through the end of next month, after which time staff and consultants will brief City Council members “to obtain approval on the design and move forward into the execution phase,” according to this memo.

• Construction on a $26.4 million West Dallas pump station replacement and rehabilitation is expected to begin by early next year, according to this memo. The Delta Pump Station project is funded with a mix of federal and City money.

• Here’s the complete City Manager memo packet for Friday, April 11, 2025

🤝 Meetings of Interest: April 14 - 18

Monday, April 14

City Council Workforce, Education, and Equity Committee, 9 a.m., Council Chambers, 6th Floor, Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla St.

• Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Dr. Philip Huang will brief committee members on food insecurity trends here and across the country — and what is being done to address the challenges. Read more.

City Council Public Safety Committee, 1 p.m., Council Chambers, 6th Floor, Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla St.

• Violent crime in Dallas is down nearly 13% this year as compared to the same time last year. The drop is driven by major reductions in homicides (44%) and aggravated assaults (11%), as noted in the slide above. Read the full briefing.

• The news on 911 response times continues to be concerning. Officers are not meeting department goals for any of the four categories of dispatched calls. On average, callers are waiting over 90 minutes for anything besides the most serious calls, including several hours for burglaries, stolen cars, loud music, and theft. Read more.

• Discussion continues on potential changes to minimum qualifications to allow for a wider pool of Dallas police officer applicants. Learn more.

Tuesday, April 15

Ethics Advisory Commission, 9:30 a.m., 6ES Briefing Room, Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla St.

• Commissioners will discuss potentially amending the City’s Code of Ethics to “make certain sections apply to persons doing business with the city.” No further details are posted online.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Committee-of-the-Whole, 2 p.m., DART Conference Room C - 1st Floor, DART HQ, 1401 Pacific Ave., Dallas

• This meeting includes a briefing on the proposed fiscal 2025 20-year agency financial plan. Read the highlights here.

• Board members will also discuss exercising a one-year contract option for transit security officers to continue to supplement the DART police force. Read more.

Wednesday, April 16

Dallas City Council Briefing, 9 a.m., Council Chambers, 6th Floor, Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla St.

• The only briefing this week is on the City Manager’s proposed 2025-26 budget for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grants totaling nearly $30 million. The money typically funds programs tied to affordable housing, social services, economic development, and infrastructure. Read the briefing and the proposed budget.

• Council members will discuss in executive session a potential real estate transaction involving a building at 7800 N. Stemmons Freeway that was supposed to house the City’s permitting operations. The high-rise was shuttered last year when it was discovered it did not have the proper … permits. WFAA’s Cole Sullivan has the latest on this saga.

• Council members will also deliberate behind closed doors on performance evaluations for the city secretary, city attorney, and city auditor. It’s been a minute since Council members evaluated their direct reports, KERA’s Nathan Collins explains.

Thursday, April 17

Dallas Park and Recreation Board, 10 a.m., Dallas Zoo, The Flamingo Room, 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas

• Dallas Zoo leaders will brief Park and Recreation Board members (including me) on the latest and greatest at the treasured institution.

• Board members will also vote on acceptance of $2.6 million for development of a fitness loop at the planned community park at Fair Park. Half the money is from a state grant, matched by private dollars from nonprofit Fair Park First.

🗣️ Quote of Interest

Did I miss anything? Do you have any questions? Just want to talk about meetings and memos and other fun stuff? Hit me up.