A look at the downtown Dallas skyline. (credit: Matt Goodman/KTVT/KTXA)

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – The proposed City of Dallas budget still has a $25 million gap, but that’s better than the situation a few months ago and better than the hundreds of millions of dollars worth of shortfalls the city has dealt with in recent years.

During today’s city council meeting City Manager Mary Suhm said there is one main big for the improvement.

“Looking at our revenues which we see are trending the right way as a regard to sales tax,” she said. “This is kinda the first year we’re beginning to see a little bit better [sales tax] revenue. So, our hope is to end this without a lot of cutting that impacts services to our residents.”

Despite the deficit, several city councilmembers, like Angela Davis, want to put more money into improving and maintaining parks and neglected areas of Fair Park. It’s something Suhm isn’t optimistic about.

“I’ve got a $25 million gap, additional adds to it make the gap bigger. I don’t know if I can get there,” she told the council. “There’s not, as you an see, a lot of wiggle room for more things to be added.”

While Suhm admitted there’s still a battle ahead, she was optimistic about a few things.

Unlike the staff reductions and furloughs seen in the recent past, Suhm said, “The only good news about this budget is that, I think we may get it balanced without a lot more cutting.”

The items that currently lack funding aren’t considered extras — but rather core services like new police officers, replacing 14 old ambulances and upgrading security at city buildings.

City leaders say they anticipate filling the money gap and having a balanced budget to present in August.

Also Check Out:

• Lawsuit Filed Against Apple’s Siri Technology
• Storm Cells Trigger Damaging Hail In DFW
• Texas Teen Walking To D.C. With Cross On Back
• Wrong-Way Driver Sets Off Deadly Dallas Pileup
• Family’s Dream Home Turns Into A Nightmare