September 15, 2025 Newsletter

Home ============ Teachers' Salaries ============ potential AISD employee child care benefit ============ Taxpayers' Funds at Risk ============ Open Letter to AISD Taxpayers ============ Citizens Defending Freedom vs. AISD Lawsuit ============== October 13, 2025 Newsletter ============= Arlington City CouncilGrades ============= AISD Board Grades ================ October 6, 2025 Newsletter ============ September 29, 2025 Newsletter =========== September 22, 2025 Newsletter ============ September 15, 2025 Newsletter ============ ================ Jim Ross, Mayor ============= Mauricio Galante, District1 ============= Raul Gonzalez, District2 ============= Nikkie Hunter, District3 ============= Andrew Piel, District4 ============= Rebecca Boxall, District5 ============= Long Pham, District6 ============= Bowie Hogg, District7 ============== Barbara Odom-Wesley, District8 ============= Sarah McMurrough, AISDPlace1 ============= Melody Fowler, AISDPlace2 ============= Larry Mike, AISDPlace3 ============= David Wilbanks, AISDPlace4 ========== Justin Chapa, AISDPlace5 ============= Brooklyn Richardson, AISDPlace6 ============= Leanne Haynes, AISDPlace7 ============= Fact Sheet - November 8, 2022 Election ============ ++++++++++++ ============= Kennedale Observer Homepage =========== Kennedale Senior Tax Freeze ============== Kennedale City CouncilGrades ========== Texas Open Meetings Act Violations??? ============== The Bridge ============== Kennedale Observer - Latest Newsletter ============ Prior to That Newsletter ================ Brad Horton, Kennedale Mayor ============ David Glover, Kennedale Place 1 ============= Thelma Kobeck, Kennedale Place 2 =========== Ken Michels, Kennedale Place 3 ==============P3 Chris Gary, Kennedale Place 4 =========== Jeff Nevarez, Kennedale Place 5 ============ Kennedale City Council Compare ========== 1083 Bowman Springs Road Kennedale ============ What to Know About the Texas Raceway Project ================ Kennedale EDC MMA contract information ==============

September 15, 2025 – Volume 19 Number 37

Highlights:

* City council to approve the EDC issuing $76,000,000 in bonds.

* Agenda also includes final reading on the budget and tax rate items and the Field Square redevelopment boondoggle.

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

Open Letter to AISD Taxpayers

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_11.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:

Tuesday, September 16: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 11:00am, 3:30pm, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)

Thursday, September 18: 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.)

Wednesday, September 24: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)

Tuesday, September 30: Mayor's Town Hall meeting, Boles Junior High School, 3900 S.W. Green Oaks Blvd.

Thursday, October 2: 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.)

Wednesday, October 8: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)

Tuesday, October 14: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)

Thursday, October 16: 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.)

From THE LOCKER ROOM

Arlington City Council Update

The city council met this past Tuesday, September 9. They voted to approve the tax rate and budget and the second reading of the suspending of the anti-discrimination chapter of city code.

They will meet again this Tuesday, September 16 for a full slate of meetings. The first committee meeting starts at 11:00am. The afternoon meeting begins at 2:00pm and goes into executive session. The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 3:30pm. The evening meeting begins at 6:30pm.

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Evening Meeting – Last Week

The evening meeting can be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5242 . Council members Gonzalez and Hogg attended virtually. Council member Piel arrived late.

(18:32) Start of meeting.

(22:01) The five public hearings were for Tourism Public Improvement District (PID) and assessment plan (staff report), the Lamar Boulevard PID and assessment plan (staff report), Downtown PID and assessment plan (staff report), the FY2026 Budget (staff report), and approving the tax rate (staff report). The first three items passed, 9-0. There was one speaker in opposition to the fourth item, the budget. The budget passed, 8-1, with Mr. Piel in opposition. There was one speaker in opposition to the fifth item, the tax rate. The tax rate was approved, 7-2, with Mr. Piel and Mr. Hogg in opposition.

(35:43) The five ordinances were ratification of the tax rate (staff report), water and sewer rates ordinance (staff report), school crossing guard program (staff report), and the second reading of the two ordinances from the September 2 meeting (suspension of the anti-discrimination chapter (staff report) and redefining of the Unity Council (staff report)). There was one speaker in opposition to item 1, the ratification of the tax rate increase. The ratification was approved, 7-2, with Mr. Piel and Mr. Hogg in opposition. The second and third items passed, 9-0. The fourth item was the suspending of the anti-discrimination chapter of city code. It was approved, 7-2, with Ms. Hunter and Odom-Wesley in opposition. The fifth item, the redefinition of the Unity Council was approved, 9-0.

(43:34) The two tabled items were regarding the Fielder Apartments redevelopment projects items tabled on August 26 and September 2. There was one speaker in opposition. These items were not removed from the table.

(46:40) Citizen participation. There was one speaker, who spoke about an uncompleted public information request and council members not following the law [paying taxes].

Committee Meetings – Coming Week

The first committee meeting will be the Finance and Audit Committee with their meeting starting at 11:00am. They will be reviewing/discussing electricity RFP proposals for about 45 minutes (presentation). It appears that TXU presented the best price and the best value.

The second committee meeting is the Community and Neighborhood Development Committee. It starts about noon and they will spend about an hour in total discussing two subjects, the Downtown Farmers Market (presentation) and evaluation of the HUD Plan Year 2024 (presentation).

The quasi-committee Arlington Housing Finance Corporation will meet for about a half hour beginning at 1:15pm (agenda). The main purpose of the meeting appears to be to approve the FY2026 Budget.

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Afternoon Meeting – Coming Week

The city council will have their afternoon meeting starting at about 2:00pm. They will go into executive session first to discuss a) the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) proposal for real property [discussed last Monday by the EDC], b) the purchase of 501 N. East Street, and c) offers of incentives for business prospects. Hold onto your wallets...

The open portion of the afternoon meeting will begin no sooner than 3:30pm. That portion of the agenda includes two work session items, two informal staff reports, board appointments (list), external committees discussions, a legislative update (staff report), and evening agenda and future agenda item discussions.

The two work session items are:

1. TAD Board appointments (presentation), and

2. Leveraging of Technology (presentation).

The two informal staff reports are:

1. commercial motor vehicle parking violations (staff report), and

2. a report on Senate Bill 857 regarding towing authority (staff report).

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Evening Meeting – Coming Week

The agenda for the 6:30pm meeting includes many appointments, minutes, three final readings on ordinances dealing with the budget and tax rate, 71 consent agenda items, three ordinances for first reading, two public hearings, one resolution, and tabled items regarding the Fielder Square redevelopment project.

The three ordinances for final reading on the budget and tax rate items are FY2026 Budget (staff report), levying the tax rate (staff report), and ratification of the tax increase (staff report).

There are many consent agenda items increasing the various fees. Here is a pair (water/sewer , trash/recycle).

Consent agenda item 8.44 establishes the council meetings for next year [since voters approved the charter change not to have a meeting every Tuesday, but giving the council the option to cancel meetings] (staff report).

Consent agenda item 8.61 amends and restates the meet and confer memorandum with the Arlington Police Association (staff report).

Consent agenda item 8.71 extends a milestone deadline by four months for the corporate welfare deal with Anthem (the Lincoln Square redevelopment) (staff report).

The three ordinances (first readings) are related to a) flood damage protection (staff report), b) youth programs standard care (staff report), and c) an amendment to the anti-discrimination chapter (staff report).

The first public hearing is for a specific use permit SUP25-03 for an upscale hotel at 4560 Waxwing Drive (very near the airport) (staff report). Lance Murray of the Arlington Report has an article about when this passed P&Z at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/08/27/pz-approves-upscale-hotel-near-arlington-municipal-airport/ .

The second public hearing is for Arlington Cemetery declaration of plot abandonment (staff report). This is so the city will be able to sell plots at the cemetery.

The resolution is for the issuing of $76,000,000 in Economic Development Corporation bonds [based on paying them off on the sales tax they collect] (staff report , resolution). The resolution contains the bond details.

The Fielder Square redevelopment project has two tabled items from the September 2 consent agenda. The first is the purchase (resolution) of the property for a greatly overpriced $33,065,560, so the apartments can be demolished for an additional cost. The second is a contract to help with relocation of residents (contract) for $492,320. At the August 26 Arlington Tomorrow Foundation meeting, they needed a super majority (75%) to approve the [wasting of] funds but only got a 6-3 majority. Therefore, when this came on the September 2 agenda, the items were tabled, since they did not have a way to fund it. [Commentary: What is really disturbing is the item has not just died and gone away, and they keep looking in their many buckets of our taxpayer funds to pull this boondoggle off.]

Economic Development Corporation (EDC)

The EDC Board met on Monday, September 8 (agenda). We guess they approved the August 18 (minutes).

During the standing reports section they received a report on EDC eligible industries snapshot (report) and the real estate report on office market (report).

During the open session they received presentations from:

1. Business Innovation and Research Development matching fund program (presentation).

2. Arlington Innovation Advisory Committee (presentation).

There were four action items. We believe all four were approved.

1. The issuance and sale of $76,000,000 in sales tax revenue bonds (staff report , resolution). This definitely passed, as it is on the city council agenda. The bond issuance detail is in the resolution.

2. EDC Budget (staff report , resolution). The budget document is part of the resolution. This is also on the city council agenda.

3. Architectural Services for EDC Center for $580,000 (staff report).

4. M4 Realty Advisors contract for $211,200 (staff report). [Overpayment for services to a “buddy”?]

They met in executive session to discuss offers of incentives for business prospects and a possible real property deal. [Commentary: One can only hope they were not approving the Fielder Square redevelopment project.]

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Upcoming Public Hearings

On Tuesday, September 16, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP25-3 at 4560 Waxwing Drive. They wish for a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for an Upscale Hotel, with a Development Plan on 2.033 acres zoned Airport Overlay (APO)-Community Commercial (CC).

On Tuesday, September 16, the city council will hold a public hearing on reclaiming potentially abandoned plots at Arlington Cemetery.

On Wednesday, September 24, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD15-05R1 at 5301 W. Pioneer Parkway. They wish to revise their development plan on the 7.168 acres for light industrial uses. If approved this will go to the city council on October 14.

On Wednesday, September 24, P&Z will hold a public hearing on Z03-56/PD03-56R1 at 915 E. Randol Mill Road. They wish to revise their development plan on the 3.750 acres for light industrial uses. If approved this will go to the city council on October 14.

On Tuesday, October 14, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD25-12 at 700-odd Dugan Street/302 Weeks Avenue/ 700 South Street. They wish to update/change their planned development on the 1.605 acres.

On Tuesday, October 14, the city council will hold a public hearing on zoning case ZA25-3 at 1225 California Lane. They are requesting a change from Landmark Preservation Overlay-Planned Development (LPO-PD) to Light Industrial (LI) in the rear of the property.

P&Z Commission

P&Z will meet on Wednesday, September 24.

AISD School Board

The AISD School Board will meet this Thursday, September 18. The agenda should be posted on Monday.

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The release of the new accountability numbers for 2024 and 2025 became public on Friday, August 15. In an article by Chris Moss of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report he reports on the A-F Accountability scores for the past two years. His report is for the AISD, MISD, and KISD and can be found at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/08/15/heres-how-arlington-area-schools-fared-in-texas-a-f-ratings/ . The AISD article on the new numbers: https://www.aisd.net/district-news/accountability-update-arlington-isd-doubles-a-rated-campuses-and-reduces-f-ratings/ .

The AISD post about the teacher raises: https://www.aisd.net/district/departments/human-resources/compensation-benefits-and-risk-management/board-approves-staff-raises/ .

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 $0.812800

2. Birdville ISD $0.786900

2. Fort Worth ISD $0.786900

2. Godley 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.]

AISD Declining Enrollment

Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/05/28/arlington-isds-enrollment-could-shrink-by-2032-heres-whats-driving-the-decline .

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