August 10, 2026 Newsletter
August 10, 2026 – Volume 20 Number 32
Highlights:
* City council approves the second reading of the reconsidered low-income apartments.
* Council also approves over $1.5 million for Balfour Apartments in 380 Grant Agreement.
* Council to decide on the max tax rate on Tuesday. Current rate is below the no-new-tax rate [a rarity].
Teachers' Salaries
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html
Taxpayers' Funds at Risk:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_83.html
City Council grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_39.html
AISD Board grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_1.html
Citizens Defending Freedom vs. AISD
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_14.html
Arlington is a city where citizens are relegated to being spectators, rather than players on the field. The SPECTATOR helps citizens know what is happening on the field. Only a few of the in-house team members are allowed to play ball in Arlington. The SPECTATOR helps citizens understand the game.
GAME SCHEDULE:
Monday, August 10: Comprehensive Plan District 1 Town Hall, Texas Rangers Golf Club, 701 Brown Boulevard, 6:00-7:00pm.
Tuesday, August 11: City Council afternoon budget meeting, 3rd Floor City Hall, 101 W. Abram Street, 3:00pm.
Thursday, August 13: Budget Town Hall, South Police Center.
Thursday, August 13: AISD Board meeting, AISD Administration Building, 690 E. Lamar Boulevard, 6:30pm. (You must be signed up online by 3:00pm if you wish to speak.)
Tuesday, August 18: Comprehensive Plan District 4 Town Hall, ACTIV, 2061 W. Green Oaks Boulevard, 6:00-7:00pm.
Wednesday, August 19: P&Z meeting, Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm)
Monday, August 24: Comprehensive Plan District 5 Town Hall, Wellspring on Main, 2201 W. Main Street, 6:00-7:00pm.
Tuesday, August 25: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, August 26: Budget Town Hall, City Council Chambers.
Thursday, August 27: AISD Board meeting, AISD Administration Building, 690 E. Lamar Boulevard, 6:30pm. (You must be signed up online by 3:00pm if you wish to speak.)
Monday, August 31: Comprehensive Plan District 3 Town Hall, Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center Street, 6:00-7:00pm.
Wednesday, September 2: P&Z meeting, Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm)
Tuesday, September 8: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.) Public hearing on the budget and tax rate.
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The Arlington City Council met this past Tuesday, August 4 for a full slate of meetings. They approved the second reading of the reconsidered low-income apartments along U.S. 287 Highway. They also approved over $1.5 million in 380-agreement aid to the Balfour Apartments. They will meet again this Tuesday for more budget discussions.
Meeting – This Week – 3:00pm
The agenda for this week's meeting includes a work session item, two resolutions, and citizen participation. It will be on the 3rd Floor of city hall, not the council chambers.
The work session item is the FY27 budget. The presentation will probably be posted on Tuesday. What usually happens is that any questions from last week are answered and any discussion on the general fund is discussed, then they turn to the other funds that are part of the budget.
The two resolutions are for establishing the public hearings on the tax rate and the budget. They and the associated ordinances will be held on Tuesday, September 8. September 15 is then projected to be the second readings on those ordinances. The budget needs to be approved by September 30, as the new fiscal year begins October 1.
The resolution on the tax rate needs to be the maximum tax rate that the council will consider approving. The tax rate approved must be at or below the tax rate of the announced public hearing. Should the council wish for a higher tax rate later, a new public hearing will need to be noticed with a higher tax rate. (staff report – tax rate , staff report – budget).
# # # # # # # # # #
Afternoon Meeting – Last Week
The afternoon meeting can be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5513?view_id=9&redirect=true . Council Member Garcia-Dumas did not appear present at the start of the meeting.
(6:20) They opened at noon and went into executive session. The executive session portion of the agenda included:
1. possible settlement of 1815 E Mayfield Drive
2. possible acquisition of right-of-way for a public street
3. possible acquisition of real property for Affordable Housing
4. potential purchase of property at 2901 E. Abram Street.
5. deployment and implementation of security measures to city facilities
6. offers of incentives to business prospects.
(2:36:30) The open portion of the afternoon meeting included two work session items, four informal staff reports, appointments to boards and commissions, evening agenda items, external committees report, and future agenda items. Council Member Garcia-Dumas was present.
The two work session items were:
(2:45:26) 1. FY2027 Budget (presentation). The city manager is proposing the same tax rate ($0.6298) which is BELOW the no-new-revenue rate ($0.6363). The council must decide by next week what is the [ceiling] tax rate is to be used on the tax rate public hearing. About 3:50:35 it was opened to the council. Several council members appear in favor of going to the no-new-revenue rate, generating $2.2 million of additional spending. Something [I've been arguing for, for years,] they have decided is to put the Cowboys rent payment ($2.5 million) in the general fund; it had been going to the Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB).
[Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article on the proposed budget: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/08/05/proposed-arlington-budget-shows-surplus-but-bump-in-tax-rate-considered-for-projects/ .]
(4:10:15) 2. Enhance Mobility (presentation). About 4:26:50 they opened it up to the council.
(4:28:05) The four informal staff reports were:
1. Election Activities at municipal polling places (report , attachment). They are planning to implement Bob Duncan election sign regulations at every municipal voting location. This will allow campaign signs in only a very small location, being very dense, so they can't be read anyway.
2. Candidate Filing Fees and petition requirements (report).
3. Mayor and city council compensation (report).
[Commentary: Items 1-3: They want to make it harder to run for certainly weakly funded candidates, then pay more so they can get a “certain” type of individual.][Chris Moss has an article about the compensation in the Arlington Report at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/08/06/arlington-leaders-consider-bringing-council-and-mayor-pay-increase-to-voters-in-2028/ .]
4. Adopt-A-Median Program (report , attachment).
(5:14:58) The appointments to boards and commissions (attachment).
(5:15:38) Evening agenda items.
(5:17:40) External committees.
(5:21:32) Future agenda items.
Evening Meeting – Last Week
The evening meeting may be viewed at: arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5514?view_id=9&redirect=true . All council members were present.
(15:57) Start of meeting. The agenda for the evening meeting included 25 consent agenda items, three public hearings, and two ordinances (first reading). The appointments and minutes were each approved with 9-0 votes.
(22:35) Consent agenda. Item 7.12 was pulled for separate consideration. Item 7.13 (Viridian development plan modification) was pulled, the applicant wants to present it on September 8. Item 7.13, the continuance was approved, 9-0. The consent agenda, minus 7.12 and 7.13, saw one speaker opposed to 7.24; the consent agenda was approved, 9-0. Consent agenda item 7.12 was the second reading of the low-income apartments along US Highway 287 that were reconsidered and then approved when HALF of the eight council members voting in both votes CHANGED their vote (staff report). There was a speaker in opposition. Item 7.12 was approved, 6-3, with Gonzalez, Hunter, and Hogg opposed.
Consent agenda item 7.14 named/elected a mayor pro tempore and a deputy mayor pro tempore (staff report , resolution). The proposed resolution lists Mr. Gonzalez as the mayor pro tempore and Ms. Hunter as the deputy mayor pro tempore.
Consent agenda item 7.24 is to allow the Balfour Apartments (for which the zoning PD just barely passed council, as even Dr. Odom-Wesly opposed – a very extreme rarity) to obtain more taxpayer funding ($1,550,000) through a 380 Grant Agreement (staff report). This was evidently the reason behind the expanding of the TIRZ forever and ever...
(34:31) The first public hearing was to amend and restate the project plan and finance plan for the Downtown TIRZ (staff report). [Commentary: In June the council extended the TIRZ even though it was nowhere near expiring, meaning the taxpayers must continue to wait to see any benefit of the millions of dollars the TIRZ has taken away from the general fund. So, this goes and modifies the plan, supporting big government getting more funds and increasing spending.] This was approved, 9-0,
(37:48) The second public hearing was for case PD25-18, which is to allow for small-lot homes on currently zoned single-family at 1605 Wilma Lane (staff report). The planned development (PD) allows for 24 tiny lot (2550-4000 sq. ft., the standard is 5000 sq. ft) two-story single-family homes. There are nine deviations listed. There was one speaker in opposition. This was approved, 8-1 with Ware in opposition.
(1:01:08) The third public hearing was for case PD25-21, which is to allow for townhomes on currently zoned single-family at 1013 North Mesquite Street (staff report). The planned development (PD) allows for four two-story buildings of 2-or-3 units. There are two deviations listed. This was approved, 8-1, with Garcia-Dumas in opposition.
(1:16:23) The two ordinances are for amending the FY2026 Budget (staff report , ordinance) and appointing the Senior Associate Municipal Judge (staff report , ordinance). Both ordinances were approved with 9-0 votes.
(1:19:20) There were six speakers during citizen participation. Two of the six spoke on flock cameras.
Council Leftovers
The City of Arlington proposes a total project investment of an estimated $24,000,000, combining federal, state, local, and private resources for the acquisition and demolition of an existing two-story, 81,205-square-foot dilapidated motel structure at 1220 W. Division Street built in 1965 and comprised of 72 rooms. So far, they have determined they will use approximately $3,850,000 in federal HOME-ARP funds. Part of the city/local funds included is $2.85 million of Arlington Housing Finance Corporation funds. Anyone's guess on the specifics of the rest of the funding?
Following demolition, the city intends to construct a new permanent supportive housing community consisting of a minimum of 70 units. The new development will provide safe, service-enriched housing for chronically homeless individuals, veterans and their families, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations. The primary objective is to expand the supply of affordable, supportive housing and promote long-term housing stability for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
So, has anyone divided that out? $24,000,000 / 70 units = $342,857/unit [cost of a house???].
Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article on the Arlington homelessness issue and the mention of this project by the mayor. That article can be found at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/05/21/arlington-to-boost-permanent-housing-for-homeless-as-feds-slash-funding/ .
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
We assume the EDC met this past Thursday, August 6. The agenda can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/august-6,-2026.pdf . The agenda includes:
minutes (June 18),
standing reports (financial , real estate),
outstanding project updates,
foreign direct investment roadmap (presentation),
Arlington film and media incentive program (presentation),
public hearing/action item (for matching funds for Business Innovation Research and Development (BIRD) program (staff report) [we assume this passed],
executive director's report (presentation),
and an executive session.
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Wednesday, August 19, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD91-09R1, at 300 & 330 Loch N Green Trail. They wish to reduce the setbacks on the north side of the property by five feet to a 15-feet minimum. If approved by P&Z this would go to the city council on September 8.
On Wednesday, August 19, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP25-13, at 500 E. Abram Street. They wish for a specific use permit for a banquet hall. If approved by P&Z this would go to the city council on September 8.
On Tuesday, September 8, the city council will hold a public hearing on the budget.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
P&Z Commission
P&Z meet on Wednesday, August 18.
AISD School Board
The school board met this past Thursday, July 30. The agenda can be found at: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=750100 . The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_HN4VpjtCs . The district's review of the meeting is at: https://www.aisd.net/district-news/read-highlights-from-school-board-meeting-on-july-30/ . Board Member Richardson was not present.
(1:56) Appointments approved, 6-0.
Justin Edwards – Principal at Bowie High
Victoria Youngblood-Baldwin – Principal at Martin High
Latoya Turner – Principal at Burgin Elementary
Amy Carlisie – Principal at Hale Elementary
Priscila Dilley – Chief Academic Officer
(15:25) Consent agenda. Mr. Choppa was opposed to item 9-T (Senate Bill 12 Compliance Certificate) and wished to abstain from 9-C (Bids) and 9-I (Interlocal agreement with Child Care Management Services). Except for those items, it was approved, 6-0.
There were three reports.
(17:55) Key Progress Measures Report (presentation). Some achieved. Several missed. About 34:09 it was opened to the board.
(47:35) There were no speakers for agenda items.
(47:49) Strategic Plan Report (presentation , stategic plan brochure). About 54:27 it was opened to the board.
(57:43) Proposition C Planning Report (presentation). If they wish to put something on the November ballot, items must be approved by next meeting (August 13). About 1:05:19 it was opened to the board. There did NOT seem to be any interest in a bond election.
There were five action items.
(1:25:30) Consider moving the new South Davis Elementary to 1203 W. Pioneer Parkway (staff report). About 1:28:01 it was opened to the board. It was approved, 6-0.
(1:38:40) Schematic Design of the 18 PLUSS program at the old Blanton Elementary (presentation). About 2:01:10 it was opened to the board. [It seems rather expensive, over $25 million, for currently under 100 students. Even if the students double, it seems expensive.] It was approved, 6-0.
(2:16:40) Consider charges of community-based committees (staff report). About 2:19:28 it was opened to the board. It was approved, 6-0.
(2:23:53) Resolution for the planned issuance of bonds (staff report). This was approved, 6-0.
(2:32:35) Adopt an order of issuance of unlimited tax school building bonds (staff report). This was approved, 6-0.
(2:34:50) There were no speakers for non-agenda items.
(2:35:04) End of meeting reports.
(2:40:33) Hearing on an employee's non-renewal of a contract.
AISD Cut 307 Positions
Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/07/30/arlington-isd-cut-307-positions-parents-say-the-losses-go-beyond-the-classroom/ .
AISD Budget approved
Following consideration of the adoption of the 2026-27 Budget (presentation , very high level overview), the budget was approved, 7-0. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/06/17/arlington-isd-trustees-adopt-nearly-60m-budget-shortfall-amid-declining-enrollment/ .
Sixth Grade to Move to Junior Highs in 2027
Moving sixth grade to the junior highs was approved, 5-2, with Wilbanks and Fowler opposed (presentation). Bianca Rodriguez-Mora of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/06/18/arlington-isd-moves-6th-grade-to-junior-high-level-despite-parent-concerns/ .
AISD Employees will NOT get raises
Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article from this meeting stating how employees will NOT be getting raises [but will be getting gains in health insurance benefits] at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/06/05/arlington-isd-employees-will-not-see-a-raise-as-district-fights-budget-shortfall/ .
Demographer's Findings
The school board had a workshop on Thursday, May 21 regarding the demographer's findings for the district. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/05/24/as-enrollment-declines-arlington-isd-leaders-signal-potential-school-closures/ .
Article on the STEM issue/cuts
It has been reported that the AISD leadership administration has met with staff telling them there will be cuts in positions because of the budget shortfall. That budget went into effect July 1. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: Positions eliminated as Arlington ISD reorganizes to address $9M shortfall | Fort Worth Report .
A Chris Moss article in the Arlington Report explores the possibility of the AISD joining the pay-for-performance teacher program offered by the state. That article can be found at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/01/07/arlington-isd-considers-texas-pay-for-performance-teacher-program/ .
AISD saw a jump in their accountability scores because of their challenge of some of the STAAR testing results. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/09/arlington-isd-sees-2025-academic-accountability-bump-after-staar-appeal/ . Also an AISD article may be found at: https://www.aisd.net/district-news/updated-district-and-campus-accountability-ratings/ .
The AISD enrollment is expected to fall below 50,000 students at some point, maybe as early as the 2026-2027 school year. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has a story at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/03/arlington-isds-enrollment-projected-to-drop-below-50000-next-year/ .
The AISD Board and Superintendent have established written goals, including student improvement on the STAAR testing. The Chris Moss article in the Arlington Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/10/01/arlington-isd-school-board-sets-goals-and-expectations-for-new-school-year/ .
TEA Accountability Data:
In 2020, the AISD was tied for the highest M&O rate of all the school districts in Tarrant County. Since then, there has been NO tie. The AISD HAS the highest M&O rate in Tarrant County. [school district tax rates]
Top 5 of Tarrant County's 21 ISDs M&O Rates
1. Arlington ISD $0.802200
2. Birdville ISD $0.786900
2. Fort Worth ISD $0.786900
2. Lewisville ISD $0.786900
2. Mansfield ISD $0.786900
Teacher Salaries
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html [Arlington ISD easily pays the highest salaries, thus creating ISD inflation.] An article by Jacob Sanchez in the Fort Worth Report confirms that the Arlington ISD pays the highest salaries in Tarrant County [ https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/17/teachers-in-this-tarrant-county-school-district-earn-the-highest-salaries/ ].
OTHER NEWS
Stadium Extension
[Commentary: Just because they believe it is legal to approve the stadium extension without the public voting, it is neither the correct nor transparent thing to do. If you talked about the finances with officials back in 2016, they would point to the ability to pay off the Cowboy bonds early, giving them the ability to build the second stadium. They would also suggest that there would be a good chance bonds would be paid off before 2048.]
HELPFUL CONTACTS
The Spectator: www.ArlSpectator.mysite.com
to be added/deleted to/from the mailing list e-mail: ArlSpectator@yahoo.com
We can be found on Facebook at ArlSpectator.
Teachers' Salaries
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_97.html
Taxpayers' Funds at Risk
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_83.html
City Council grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_39.html
AISD Board grades:
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_1.html
City of Arlington website: www.arlingtontx.gov
e-mails of mayor and council:
.................... first.last@arlingtontx.gov
mayor = jim.ross
district 1 (north) = mauricio.galante
district 2 (sw) = raul.gonzalez
district 3 (se) = nikkie.hunter
district 4 (west) = tom.ware
district 5 (central/east) = brittney.garcia-dumas
district 6 (all) = long.pham
district 7 (all) = bowie.hogg
district 8 (all) = jason.shelton
AISD website ....................... www.aisd.net
McMurrough............ - sarahforaisd@gmail.com
Fowler ................... - fowler.aisd@gmail.com
Mike .................. - larrymike.aisd@gmail.com
Wilbanks .......... - dwilban.aisd@gmail.com
Chapa ...................... - chapa.aisd@gmail.com
Richardson ... - brooklyn.richardson.aisd@gmail.com
Haynes ................... - haynes.aisd@gmail.com
TEA Accountability Data:
ARC Political Watch Committee Reports
includes coverage of Mansfield ISD and national, state, county, & city
Texas Legislative Online:
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx
To be added to/deleted from our mailing list please e-mail your request to: ArlSpectator@yahoo.com