ARLINGTON, Texas—Arlington residents will soon have a say in the city’s future as they prepare to vote for a proposed $200.8 million bond program in the upcoming May 3 election.
The bond package would fund various community projects. The proposal has sparked community conversation about its potential impact on various facilities, transportation, parks and housing enhancements.
The Arlington City Council unanimously voted to put the package before voters at its Feb. 4 meeting.
The City Council’s decision to present the bond package to voters was made following an extensive study made by the 19 members of the Citizens’ Bond Committee. The committee is tasked with finding ways to address the city’s capital needs.
The bond package is divided between five propositions which each Arlington voter will be able to vote for. The five propositions include a bond for street improvements at $136.99 million, public safety at $48.93 million, parks and recreation at $9.34 million, downtown city administrative building at $3.11 million and libraries at $2.43 million.
Many Arlington residents think that the bond program is necessary to keep up with the city’s rapid growth. But others argue that the bond package raises concerns about spending priorities and the potential increase in taxes to pay off the bonds.
The street budget is by far the largest part of the bond program and is structured to deal with street and transportation projects to repair and upgrade city streets to address the increase of traffic in the area. The bond would also fund sidewalk repair. This money would go toward things like widening and repairing roads, improving traffic signals, and enhancing walking infrastructure. The bond would include improvements to places like South Collins Street and Randol Mill Road.
Public safety is the second largest part of the budget. These funds would go toward upgrades to the fire and police stations, equipment for first responders and emergency infrastructure. This includes building a public safety training facility for police and fire staff. A large portion of the funding is earmarked toward rebuilding fire stations.
Parks and recreation has the third largest portion of the bond program. The money for this part of the bond program would go toward expansion and renovation of existing recreational spaces in Arlington, like upgraded HVAC and alarm systems, and repairing places like River Legacy Nature Center and overall park infrastructure.
Downtown administrative buildings account for the fourth largest bond proposal. These funds would be allocated to improve municipal buildings and public facilities in downtown Arlington. According to the city website, “This funding would allow for improvements at City Hall, including the replacement of HVAC pumps, hydronic radiators and piping, air handling units, variable air volume electric heating with ducting, fire alarm system, and emergency lighting.”
The smallest budget for the bond program will go toward libraries. Proceeds from the bonds would go toward improvements to library buildings across the city.Some locations included would be the Ron Wright Lake Arlington Library and the Southeast Library.
Early voting for the program will begin in April, which gives Arlington residents time to make their decision and cast a vote by May.
