October 13, 2025 Newsletter
October 13, 2025 – Volume 19 Number 41
Highlights:
* The City Council agenda still has the Field Square redevelopment boondoggle items listed. Also set to approve $55,000,000 in bonds for the Reserve at Mayfield Apartments.
* AISD to approve Capital Needs Committee members.
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:
Monday, October 13: Columbus Day. Banks and Post Office are closed.
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: Economic Development Corporation, Arlington Convention and Visitor's Bureau Boardroom, 1717 E. Randol Mill Road, 4:00pm.
Thursday, October 16: AISD Board meeting, AISD Administration Building, 690 E. Lamar Boulevard, 7:00pm. (You must be signed up online by 3:00pm if you wish to speak.)
Monday, October 20: Early Voting Starts, 8:00am – 5:00pm.
Wednesday, October 22: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Tuesday, October 28: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Friday, October 31: Early Voting Ends, 7:00am – 7:00pm.
Friday, October 31: Halloween.
Sunday, November 2: Daylight Savings Time Ends, fall back an hour, 2:00am.
Tuesday, November 4: Election Day.
Thursday, November 6: 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 will meet this Tuesday, October 14. There is one committee meeting, one quasi-committee meeting, the afternoon meeting, and the evening meeting.
Committee Meetings
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee meeting will begin at 11:30am (agenda). They plan to discuss the 2026 Housing Tax Credit cycle and review of city policy (15 minutes) (presentation) and policy revisions of housing rehabilitation and tenant based rental assistance programs (15 minutes) (presentation). They then plan to go into executive session for a legal discussion of multi-family regulations (30 minutes).
The quasi-committee, Arlington Housing Finance Corporation will meet at 12:45pm (agenda). They plan on giving their “blessing” for issuing $55,000,000 of bonds for the Reserve at Mayfield.
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Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting begins at 1:30pm and will begin their executive session agenda. The open portion of the afternoon meeting will start no sooner than 3:30pm. That executive session portion of the agenda includes:
- A discussion of a resolution determining the necessity of acquiring permanent drainage and sanitary sewer easements and temporary construction easements for the public use of constructing, reconstructing, maintaining and using drainage improvements, and all appurtenances for the Marquis Circle Drainage Improvements project.
- Discussion regarding a proposed grant of rights for the use of City interests in connection with a private development on W. Green Oaks Boulevard.
- Discussion regarding the purchase of property described as Lot 4-A-1, Forum 303 Addition.
- Offers and incentives to business prospects.
The open portion of the afternoon meeting (beginning no sooner than 3:30pm) includes three work session items, discussion of committee meetings, discussion of committee (and quasi-committee) meetings, and council external committees.
The three work session items are:
- TAD Board appointments (presentation).
- Downtown Farmers Market update (presentation).
- Enhanced mobility (presentation).
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Evening Meeting
The evening meeting begins at 6:30pm. The agenda includes an executive session item, 13 consent agenda items, two ordinances (first reading), five public hearings (one of the five has requested a continuance), two resolutions, and two tabled items.
The two ordinances (first reading):
- Mesquite Street speed limit amendment (staff report).
- The anti-discrimination ordinance that had been tabled at a previous meeting (staff report).
The five public hearings:
A.Zoning Case ZA25-03 (1225 California Lane) (staff report). They will be doing their modification behind the preservation house at the front of the property.
B. Zoning Case PD25-12 (Balfour Lofts) (staff report). They wish to build even more dense apartments (now up to 62 units/acre) than what they originally got approved to build. There are nine deviations listed.
C. This will be continued until November 4 for Zoning Case Z03-56/P03-56R1 (915 East Randol Mill Road/Walmart Supercenter) (staff report).
D. Zoning Case PD15-05R1 (5301 West Pioneer Parkway)/Circuit Systems Company, Inc. (staff report). They wish to build a larger facility than originally planned for Phase II.
Lance Murray of the Arlington Report/Fort Worth Report had an article after it was approved by P&Z at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/10/08/booming-aerospace-company-receives-arlington-pz-approval-for-expansion/
E. Reserve at Mayfield Apartments (no staff report at the time of this writing).
The two resolutions:
- A required resolution to issue the $55,000,000 in bonds in regard to the Reserve at Mayfield Apartments (staff report).
- Nominations for TAD Board members (staff report).
The two tabled items:
- The previously tabled resolution regarding the purchase of Fielder Square Apartments (resolution).
- The previously tabled relocation assistance contract associated with the above Item A (contract).
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Leftovers: On August 26 the powers at large tried to get the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation to fund the Field Square redevelopment project. It required a ¾ majority vote to modify the grant agreement in existence. They only got a 6-3 majority. So, at the September 2 meeting those council agenda items for this project were tabled. They remained tabled for the September 9 and September 16 meetings as the “powers” continue to look for funding [from our pockets].
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Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
The next EDC Board meeting will be this Thursday, October 16, at the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, 1717 W. Randol Mill Road at 4:00pm. Their agenda can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/october-16,-2025.pdf .
That agenda includes the standing reports, the open session, the public hearing with five action items, executive director’s report, and an executive session.
The standing reports are:
- Financial Report (attachment)
- Industry Analysis Report (attachment)
- Real Estate Report (attachment)
The open session discussion is in regard to the EDC bond sale results (no staff report is available at the time of this writing).
The public hearing and actions items are regarding purchasing five properties along North Center Street and Altman Drive (staff report, resolution1, resolution2, resolution3, resolution4, resolution5).
The executive session has two items listed, offers of incentives to business prospects and deliberation regarding real property.
Upcoming Public Hearings
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) at the rear of the property.
On Tuesday, October 14, the city council 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.
On Tuesday, October 14, the city council will hold a public hearing as required for the issuing of $55,000,000 in bonds for the Reserve on Mayfield Apartments redevelopment.
On Thursday, October 16, the Economic Development Corporation Board will hold a public hearing at the Arlington Convention and Visitor's Bureau Boardroom, 1717 E. Randol Mill Road, 4:00pm. They wish to use our taxpayer provided funds to purchase land along North Center Street and Altman Drive.
On Tuesday, November 4, the city council 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.
P&Z Commission
P&Z met this past Wednesday, October 8. The agenda/packet can be found at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/planning-and-development-services/documents/planning-amp-development-boards-amp-commissions/planning-and-zoning-commission/posted-agenda/planning-zoning-regular-session-agenda-10-08-2025.pdf . There were NO zoning case public hearings on the agenda. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=10&clip_id=5259 .
The next P&Z meeting will be October 22.
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board will meet this Thursday, October 16. The agenda is posted at: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=709540 . The agenda includes a closed/executive session, recognitions, open forum for agenda items, two appointments, five committee and staff reports, two action items, the consent agenda, open forum for non-agenda items, and end-of-meeting report.
The closed/executive session includes personnel, consult attorney regarding potential and pending litigation, board annual self-reflection, and Ringer litigation (with possible action in the open meeting).
The two appointments are for the Chief Financial Officer and an Assistant Principal at Barnett Junior High.
The five committee and staff reports:
- Finance and Academics Committee Report
- Priority Update: Early Literacy Report
- Teacher Incentive Allotment Report
- Let’s Talk Report
- 2024-2025 Parent Survey Results
The two action items:
- Approval of the Capital Needs Steering Committee Members.
- Consider proposed termination of an employee.
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Last week we reported on the October 2 meeting including:
The AISD School Board met this past Thursday, October 2. The agenda can be found at: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=708281 The board meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_9GB3m7nBA .
(1:52:36) E. Employee Childcare Program Report. They have been looking at this potential benefit for employees. They are looking at 6 weeks old – 3 years old. The average monthly cost is $1250. They want something with a cost of about $850. The estimated costs and revenues can be viewed at: http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_98.html . About 2:02:00 it was opened to the board for comments/questions.
Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article on that portion of the meeting at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/10/08/arlington-isd-weighs-10-4m-plan-to-build-child-care-centers-for-employees/ .
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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/ .
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In August there was a decision made in the Citizens Defending Freedom lawsuit. The judge dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, see: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/texas/txndce/4:2024cv00585/391344/81/ .
Now there is an anti- “Ten Commandments” lawsuit against most Tarrant County ISDs, including Arlington and Mansfield. Jacob Sanchez of the Fort Worth Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/09/22/tarrant-county-schools-sued-over-texas-ten-commandments-law/ .
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TEA Accountability Data:
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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
- Arlington ISD $0.802200
- Birdville ISD $0.786900
- Fort Worth ISD $0.786900
- Lewisville ISD $0.786900
- 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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Other News
November 4 Election
Voters will have their say on 17 constitutional amendments. Early voting starts Monday, October 20 and ends on Friday, October 31. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4.
Texas for Fiscal Responsibility staff has an article on the 17 amendments and whether they are pro- or anti- taxpayer: https://texastaxpayers.com/the-2025-proposed-amendments-to-the-texas-constitution/ .
Local Government Games
The staff of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility (TFR) has written this article of how local governments claim tax cuts, while greatly increasing spending: https://texastaxpayers.com/the-games-local-governments-play/ .
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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