Paula C. Blackmon's leadership and accomplishments reflect her unwavering dedication to Dallas.
Currently, in her third term on the Dallas City Council, Paula has distinguished herself as a champion for numerous causes. She has steadfastly advocated for lower tax rates, successfully reducing them each year she has been in office. Paula was pivotal in securing significant funding for the dredging of White Rock Lake, obtaining $20 million from the successful 2024 City of Dallas Bond vote and an additional $15 million from the federal government. Additionally, she initiated the City of Dallas Fentanyl Strike Force, which led efforts in Austin to create an overdose mapping system.
Paula's diverse experience in Dallas politics makes her exceptionally well-equipped to represent the interests of District 9 effectively. Her roles as Deputy Chief of Staff to former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, Chief of Staff to former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, and Senior Advisor for Dallas ISD Superintendent Mike Miles, among others, showcase her comprehensive understanding of the political landscape.
Environmental stewardship has been Paula's priority since her upbringing in West Texas. In her previous term, she served as Chair of the Environmental and Sustainability Committee, where she spearheaded initiatives to combat environmental threats, reform the bulk-and-brush trash pickup program, and implement the Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan (CECAP), among other significant achievements.
In addition to her earlier accomplishments, Paula has proudly raised the senior tax exemption, led the charge to reform the City's residential permitting process, and restored transparency to the Dallas City Council. She also implemented the Dallas Urban Forest Master Plan, supported the development of a new Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, led the charge for the Hensley Field cleanup that will eventually lead to a master plan development project, and launched the Period Access Dallas (PAD) Program for period poverty.
Currently, Paula sits on the following committees: Parks, Trails, and the Environment; Quality of Life, Arts, and Culture; Workforce, Education, and Equity; Ad Hoc Committee on Pensions; Ad Hoc Committee on Sports Recruitment and Retention; and Vice Chair on the Government Performance & Financial Management Committee.
Paula Blackmon is a lifelong Texan. She grew up in the small west Texas town of Snyder, TX, and graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor's Degree in International Economics.
Paula and her husband, Barry, raised their three boys in East Dallas: Aaron, a Texas Tech graduate who works for Lockheed Martin; Evan, a Woodrow Wilson graduate who currently lives in Ireland, where he attends school and plays basketball; and Reid, also a Woodrow Wilson graduate who is now a senior at the University of Arkansas.
