May 4, 2026 Newsletter
May 4, 2026 – Volume 20 Number 18
Highlights:
* Election Results:
Mayor – Jim Ross (assuming no more votes)
District 3 – Nikkie Hunter
District 4 – Tom Ware
District 5 – Brittney Garcia-Dumas
District 8 – runoff (Fowler & Shelton)
sales tax for street repairs renewal - Passed
AISD Place 6 – Brooklyn Richardson
AISD Place 7 – Leanne Haynes
Bond Propositions A&B – Passed
Bond Proposition C (athletics) - Failed
* City Council to hear 170 townhomes public hearing for southeast Arlington.
* P&Z approved US287 apartments.
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, May 5: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Thursday, May 7: 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.)
Sunday, May 10: Mothers' Day.
Wednesday, May 13: P&Z meeting, Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm)
Tuesday, May 19: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Thursday, May 21: 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, May 25: Memorial Day Holiday.
Tuesday, May 26: Primaries Runoff Election Day, 7:00am – 7:00pm.
Wednesday, June 3: P&Z meeting, Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm)
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The Arlington City Council met for their spring retreat this past Tuesday, April 28. They will meet for a full slate of meetings this Tuesday, May 5. The first of two committee meetings is at 11:45am. The afternoon meeting begins at 2:15pm and goes into executive session. The open portion of the afternoon meeting will begin no sooner than 3:30pm. The evening meeting is at 6:30pm.
Last week's meeting
This past Tuesday the city council met for a non-broadcasted spring retreat at the Texas Rangers Golf Club. That agenda and related documents can be found at: https://granicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/arlingtontx/df71c1cbac85b7bdcfe6b75d09cc950a0.html . Council members Hunter and Boxall were not present. The proposed minutes from the meeting: https://granicus-aasmp-peak-files.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/4071937/042826REG.pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIATHOFOHMMEOCNXD2W%2F20260502%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20260502T164810Z&X-Amz-Expires=3600&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=e3108b3f6ff1fdf92f06fa98981be678a6b229336679d9368b97cdca02d711e0 .
Committee Meetings
The Municipal Policy Committee will meet at 11:45am and use about an hour to discuss Honorary Naming (presentation)/President's Corner Facility naming opportunities (presentation) and a construction chapter update (TX2835), single-stair residential buildings (presentation) and the 2023 National Electrical Code (presentation).
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee will meet at 1:00pm and spend an hour discussing multi-family inspection and international maintenance codes (presentation) and expanded multi-family recycling (presentation).
Afternoon Meeting
The agenda for the afternoon meeting starts with an executive session which includes:
- possible sale and conveyance of 2903 Zinfandel Lane
- Entertainment District sidewalk settlement at 405 N. Collins Street
- Shadow Drive Sewer Main replacement settlement at 1901 Northeast Green Oaks Boulevard
- offers of incentives to business prospects.
The open portion of the afternoon meeting agenda includes two work session items, one informal staff report, committee reports, and an external committee report.
Two Work Session items:
1. Efforts to combat human trafficking during FIFA (presentation).
2. Council priority – grow our economy (presentation).
The informal staff report addresses Flock Safety Data (staff report).
Evening Meeting
The agenda for the 6:30pm evening meeting includes two executive session items, minutes, 27 consent agenda items, and four public hearings.
Consent agenda item 8.26 is compensation adjustments for council appointees (city attorney – 7.5% increase, city auditor – 17.67% increase, and presiding municipal court judge – 4.28% increase) (staff report).
Consent agenda item 8.27 is an amended timeline (city not holding the other party accountable to the agreed upon terms) for Texas Trust Credit Union (staff report).
The first public hearing is for a noise monitor license agreement with DFW International Airport (staff report).
The second public hearing is for an historic stay on a demolition permit for 513 S. Center Street (staff report).
The third public hearing is for PD21-28R1 (Harmony Court at 800 Debbie Lane) (staff report). They are wishing to add back certain uses for CC (community commercial) that were specifically prohibited in the original approval.
The fourth public hearing is for PD25-22 (1120 Debbie Lane and 8380 Glenn Day Drive) (staff report). They wish to build 170 townhomes plus still have an “undefined” commercial piece. The revision (since P&Z) has not been received yet at the time of the agenda posting along with another issue regarding the P&Z requirements. There are five deviations. Certain citizen leaders were not happy with the passing of this at P&Z. Lance Murray of the Arlington Report has an article on this project at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/04/30/pz-narrowly-approves-southeast-arlington-townhome-development/ .
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???].
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
We do not know the date of the next EDC Board meeting.
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, May 5, the city council will hold a public hearing on noise monitor license agreement with DFW International Airport.
On Tuesday, May 5, the city council will hold a public hearing on an extension of historic stay regarding a demolition permit for 513 S. Center Street.
On Tuesday, May 5, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD21-28R1, at 800 Debbie Lane. They wish to revise the development plan.
On Tuesday, May 5, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD25-22, at 1120 Debbie Lane. They wish to change community commercial (CC) to a planned development for RM-12 (usually townhomes) zoning on 29.850 acres.
On Wednesday, May 13, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-8, at 2100 S.E. Green Oaks Boulevard. They wish to change the CC (community commercial) to a planned development plus a car wash.
On Wednesday, June 3, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-17, at 2002 Wynn Terrace. They wish for a planned development for RM-12 zoning for a cottage community on 2.035 acres.
On Wednesday, June 3, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-21, at 1013 N. Mesquite Street. They wish to change from RS-7.2 to a planned development for RM-12 (usually townhomes) on 0.924 acres.
On Wednesday, June 3, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-18, at 1605 Wilma Lane. They wish to change zoning from RS-7.2 to a planned development for RS-5 (small lots) on 2.919 acres.
On Tuesday, June 9, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP08-15R1, at 4151 Dr. MLK Jr. Drive. They wish to modify the SUP by establishing a gas drilling zone on 2.955 acres.
On Tuesday, June 9, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP07-17R1, at 4801 Dr. MLK Jr. Drive. They wish to modify the SUP by establishing a gas drilling zone on 4.622 acres.
On Tuesday, June 9, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD26-03, at 6700 (+others) U.S. 287 Highway. They wish to change zoning from RS-7.2 to a planned development for RMF-22 (apartments) on 7.908 acres.
On Tuesday, June 9, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD23-6R1, at 1915&1921 W. Arkansas Lane. They wish for a revised development plan on 2.57 acres.
On ???, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA26-03, at 911 S. Davis Drive. They wish to change the zoning from RS-7.2 to NC (neighborhood commercial) on 2.454 acres.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
P&Z Commission
P&Z met this past Wednesday, April 29. They had six public hearings on their agenda (https://granicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/arlingtontx/cb8fb1cf56c76daf96442d8b98eefb4d0.html). The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=10&clip_id=5432 .
(2:54) The first two public hearings (SUP08-15R1 and SUP07-17R1) were for modifications to existing specific use permits to establish gas drilling zones at two locations (4151 Dr. MLK, Jr. Drive and 4181 Dr. MLK, Jr. Drive (staff report1 , staff report2). There were no speakers in opposition. Both items passed in 8-0-1 votes.
(17:45) The third public hearing was for PD25-18 at 1605 Wilma (staff report). They wish to change 2.919 acres from RS-7.2 to a planned development for small housing RS-5. The plan is for 26 small house lots barely over 50% of the size for RS-5 lots. There are nine deviations listed. There was a citizen petition in opposition. There were four speakers in opposition. It was CONTINUED until June 3, 8-0-1.
(not heard) The fourth public hearing was for ZA26-03 at 911 S. Davis Drive (staff report). They wish to change RS-7.2 to neighborhood commercial (NC) on 1.247 acres.
(1:50:34) The fifth public hearing was for PD26-03 at 6700 (& other address) U.S. Highway 287 (off the southwest corner at Sublett Road) (staff report). They wish to change the current RS7.2 zoning to a planned development for MF-22 (78 apartments) on the 7.908 acres. There was no opposition. It was approved, 8-1.
(2:33:05) The final public hearing was for PD23-6R1 at 1915 & 1921 W. Arkansas Lane (staff report). They wish to modify the existing development plan, including dropping from 57 to 51 units. There was no opposition. It was approved, 7-1.
AISD School Board
The next AISD School Board meeting is scheduled for this Thursday, May 7. The agenda should be posted on Monday.
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 will NOT be posting the Ten Commandments for now. An article by Chris Moss of the Arlington Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/11/05/arlington-isd-agrees-not-to-post-ten-commandments-amid-lawsuit/ .
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) = andrew.piel
district 5 (central/east) = rebecca.boxall
district 6 (all) = long.pham
district 7 (all) = bowie.hogg
district 8 (all) = barbara.odom-wesley
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
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