City Manager Mary Suhm’s $20 million in projected revenue from natural gas drilling contracts in her budget proposal was challenged Wednesday by council members Mitchell Rasansky and Angela Hunt.

During discussion of an addendum item that would strengthen restrictions for Special Use Permits (SUPs) regarding drilling, Rasansky said Suhm was pushing this down council members throats. Hunt said she was disappointed Suhm had included it in the budget, trying to force the hands of the council members to approve the drilling to avoid having to cut $20 million from the budget.

Suhm responded to Rasansky’s statement by saying there have been two public hearings about the issue.

Rasansky said the city should have town hall meetings to see if citizens want the drilling. He also noted that Los Angeles and Oklahoma have stricter drilling restrictions and they have offices of petroleum administration, which Dallas does not have. He said not enough time has been given to the citizens to consider such an important issue.

“We just cannot cater to the several oil people in our audience who want this,” Rasansky said. “There’s too much risk for our citizens.”

Hunt said she believes a mistake is being made and compared it to the decision to add kiosks.

“Everyone has dollar signs in their eyes,” Hunt said. “But unlike the kiosks, gas drilling is more dangerous and invasive.”

Hunt said an example of one of the rigs should be put in the plaza of City Hall so citizens can see what they will look like. She also said residents haven’t had enough input.

“We need to step back and look at the quality of life and safety issues involved,” Hunt said.

Councilmember Vonciel Hill said she doesn’t think Suhm is shoving anything down their throats and complimented Suhm and her staff. Councilmember Dave Neumann also said he didn’t feel pressure from Suhm.

“I don’t see dollar signs (he covered his eyes),” Neumann said. “I see the neighborhoods and communities we’re here to protect.”

Mayor Leppert ended the discussion by saying, “The longer we wait, the more risk we put into the equation.”

It was pointed out by city staff and council members that drilling is currently allowed and this vote was only to strengthen the current restrictions. The drilling was under the mining SUP and would be moved to its own separate one. The item passed with Hunt voting against the new ordinance and Rasansky not present for the vote.

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