July 28, 2025 Newsletter
July 28, 2025 – Volume 19 Number 30
Highlights:
* No meetings this week; Getting ready for the budget delivery on August 5.
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, August 5: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, August 6: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm.
Tuesday, August 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.)
Thursday, August 14: Budget Town Hall meeting, South Police Station.
Saturday, August 16: For Liberty and Justice Rally, Grace Community Church, 801 W. Bardin Road.
Tuesday, August 19: Mayor's Town Hall, Texas Rangers Golf Club, 701 Brown Boulevard, 6:00pm.
Thursday, August 21: Budget Town Hall meeting, City Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street.
Tuesday, August 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.)
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The next city council meeting will be on Tuesday, August 5. The city manager will be presenting his budget during the work session.
Six months from now we will see people filing to run for mayor and city council. District 4 representative (west Arlington) Andrew Piel and District 8 representative (city-wide) Barabra Odom-Wesley will have reached their term limits and cannot apply for city council representatives again (both would be allowed to run for mayor).
In addition to District 4 and District 8, also on the May 2026 ballot will be mayor (currently held by Ross), District 3 (currently held by Hunter) and District 5 (currently held by Boxall).
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Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
We do not know when the EDC Board will meet next. The best guess would be August 19.
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Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, August 5, the city council will hold a public hearing to issue $12,000,000 in certificates of obligation (CO).
On Tuesday, August 5, the EDC will hold a public hearing on Unified Development Code (UDC) updates (https://classifieds.mcclatchy.com/marketplace/fortworth/advert/-Notices_191589).
On Tuesday, August 5, they will hold a public hearing on SUP09-20R1 at 3031 E. Arkansas Lane. They wish to amend the gas drilling specific use permit.
On Wednesday, August 6, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-9 at 1401 S. Watson Road. They wish for a planned development on the 6.112 acres for RMF-22 (apartments). It is currently zoned commercial.
On Wednesday, August 6, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-10 at 7819/7827 S. Cooper Street. They wish for a planned development on the 9.622 acres for RS-5 (small lot homes). It is currently zoned flex hybrid and light industrial. If approved by P&Z this will go to the city council on September 2.
On Wednesday, August 6, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP10-23R4 at 408 113th Street. They wish to update the specific use permit for industrial manufacturing on the 2.379 acres. If approved by P&Z this will go to the city council on September 2.
On Wednesday, August 6, P&Z 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. If approved by P&Z this will go to the city council on September 2.
On Tuesday, August 26, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP25-5 at 2306 Park Run Drive. They wish for a specific use permit to allow a secondary living unit.
On Tuesday, August 26, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40 for a planned development for a portion of Lincoln Square.
On Tuesday, August 26, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40-ASP for an alternate sign plan for Lincoln Square.
P&Z Commission
P&Z met Wednesday, July 16. There were five public hearings on the agenda, but only three to be heard (one has been tabled and one has been continued until July 23). The meeting can be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5178?view_id=10&redirect=true .
(3:07) Public hearing #1 was for Zoning Case PD24-28 (5920 Matlock Road). They wish for a planned development that includes townhomes and office commercial (staff report). This is for 29 townhomes with five deviations listed. This was tabled, 9-0.
(34:38) Public hearing #2 was for SUP09-20R1 (3031 East Arkansas Lane). They wish to amend Specific Use Permit (SUP) to establish a drilling zone on the existing gas well site (staff report). It was approved, 8-0.
(44:58) Public hearing #3 was for Zoning Case SUP25-5 (2306 Park Run Drive). They wish for a specific use permit to allow for a secondary living unit (staff report). It was approved, 8-1.
P&Z also met this past Wednesday. That agenda includes two items. The agenda 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-special-meeting-agenda-july-23-2025.pdf . The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5186?view_id=10&redirect=true .
(2:29) The first item is an update to the Unified Development Code (UDC). This is an attempt to update the UDC to account for the impact of SB15 and SB840 (staff report). This was approved, 7-0.
[Commentary: for some reason the state has decided it knows more about where high-density apartments should go within our community than the community, city council, and P&Z do. Chris Turner and everyone else who voted for this should be run out of office...]
James Hartley of the Arlington Report and KERA.org has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/07/21/new-texas-housing-shortage-law-means-arlington-will-have-less-say-over-new-apartments .
(1:13:48) The second item is for zoning case PD25-9 at 1401 S. Watson Road. They wish for a planned development on the 6.112 acres for RMF-22 (apartments). It is currently zoned commercial (staff report). There are four deviations listed. This was continued until August 6, 7-0.
AISD School Board
The next AISD School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 7.
Six months from now the filings for May 2026 elections will start. Seats for that election will be Place 6 (currently held by Brooklyn Richardson) and Place 7 (currently held by Leanne Haynes).
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
Of Tarrant County's 21 ISDs - Lowest Tax Rates [The rest are above $1.1300]
1. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD $0.923300
2. Carroll ISD $0.961700
3. HEB ISD $0.968900
4. Fort Worth ISD $1.062400
5. Keller ISD $1.085200
6. Azle ISD $1.097900
7. Arlington ISD $1.103500
8. Lewisville $1.117800
9. Northwest ISD $1.117900
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 .
Other News
Long-time UTA Basketball Coach
UTA's long-time basketball coach Robert “Snake” LeGrand has passed. The Shorthorn's Kale Ivie has an article at: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/beloved-former-uta-mens-basketball-coach-robert-snake-legrand-dies-at-81/article_35985966-af38-4b04-bb61-9560bb5d86d9.html .
'For Liberty and Justice' Rally
Saturday, August 16th from 6 - 8 pm Grace Community Church (801 W. Bardin Road, Arlington, TX 76017) is co-hosting a rally with 'For Liberty And Justice' to encourage Christians to be involved civically. There will be a time of worship, hear from Texas State Representative Nate Schatzline, and be challenged to make a difference in our culture. This is a great opportunity to bring a friend and learn more about how to be involved. This event is free, but please register: https://for-liberty-and-justice-464552.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2982226 .
Mayor in Financial Trouble?
According to this Carlos Turcios article in the Dallas Express: https://dallasexpress.com/metroplex/irs-garnishes-arlington-mayors-wages-over-174k-in-unpaid-taxes .
James Hartley of KERA and the Arlington Report has a follow-up story at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/07/03/arlington-mayor-on-payment-plan-with-irs-for-174k-in-back-taxes-council-peers-say-work-unaffected .
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.
Open Letter to AISD Taxpayers
http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_11.html
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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