September 22, 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 22, 2025 – Volume 19 Number 38

Highlights:

* City council approved budget and raised taxes and fees. They delay the anti-discrimination ordinance until October 14.

* The Field Square redevelopment boondoggle is still tabled and refuses to die.

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:

Wednesday, September 24: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at 4:00pm.)

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 16. They approved the tax rate and budget and delayed the second reading of the suspending of the anti-discrimination chapter of city code.

# # # # # # # # # # # #

Committee Meetings

The first committee meeting was the Finance and Audit Committee meeting. They reviewed/discussed electricity RFP proposals (presentation). The current contract expires in December 2026.

The second committee meeting was the Community and Neighborhood Development Committee meeting. They discussed the Downtown Farmers Market (presentation) and evaluation of the HUD Plan Year 2024 (presentation).

The quasi-committee Arlington Housing Finance Corporation met to approve the FY2026 Budget (agenda).

# # # # # # # # # # # #

Afternoon Meeting

The city council afternoon meeting can be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5245 . Mayor Ross and Council Member Galante were absent. Council Member Gonzalez attended virtually.

(3:47) Start of meeting. They went into executive session 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 reconvened. Mr. Galante was now present. Mayor Ross was out of town and Mr. Gonzalez was virtual (with double pneumonia). The two work session items were:

(1:33:36) 1. TAD Board appointments (presentation). The council could make nominations at its next meeting (October 14). They would need to do their official vote of the nominees by their December 9 meeting. It was opened to comments/questions by the council about 1:39:22.

(1:45:57) 2. Leveraging of Technology (presentation). It was opened to comments/questions by the council about 1:51:22.

(1:55:36) The two informal staff reports:

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

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

(2:10:20) Committee meetings.

(2:17:23) Board appointments (list).

(2:17:35) External committees discussions.

(2:19:17) Legislative update (staff report).

(2:19:54) Evening agenda and future agenda item discussions.

# # # # # # # # # # # #

Evening Meeting

The evening agenda included 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. Mayor Ross and Council Member Gonzalez attended virtually. Mayor Ross was in Japan [probably on taxpayers' dollars] and Mr. Gozalez was recovering from double pneumonia. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5246 .

(1:58) Start of meeting. There was a proclamation for National Night Out.

(11:22) Appointments and minutes were approved with two 9-0 votes.

(14:25) The three ordinances for final reading on the budget and tax rate items were FY2026 Budget (staff report), levying the tax rate (staff report), and ratification of the tax increase (staff report). There was one speaker in opposition of each of the three ordinances. The first vote passed, 8-1, with Mr. Piel in opposition. The second vote passed, 7-2, with Mr. Piel and Mr. Hogg in opposition. The third vote passed, 7-2 with Mr. Piel and Mr. Hogg in opposition.

There is an article on the budget written by Susan Schrock of the Office of Communications at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2025/September/Arlington-City-Council-Approves-FY26-Budget-Property-Tax-Rate . James Hartley and Andy Lusk [both of KERA News] had the following article in the Arlington Report on the approved budget, tax rate, and utility fees at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/09/17/arlington-council-gives-go-ahead-to-tax-utility-cost-increases-to-close-budget-shortfall/ . James Ward wrote an article for The Shorthorn on the approval of the budget at: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/city/arlington-city-council-raises-property-taxes-in-2026-fiscal-year-operating-budget/article_723fb3c1-151b-45be-88ab-608823e52a5c.html .The following article by James Hartley [of KERA News] on the council approving the first reading on September 9, appeared in the Arlington Report: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/09/10/arlington-city-council-gives-initial-approval-to-tax-rate-increase-2026-budget/ . The following article is by Rachel Royster [of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram] and appeared on msn.com also about the council approving the first reading September 9: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/arlington-gives-preliminary-approval-to-tax-rate-increase-750-7-million-budget/ar-AA1Meevm?ocid=BingNewsSerp .

(25:33) There are many consent agenda items increasing the various fees. Here is a pair (water/sewer , trash/recycle). 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). There was a speaker opposed to items 8.16 (staff report) and 8.40 (staff report , attachment). Item 8.16 was for a $10,441,312 project to do concrete work at the airport, with only one proposal. Item 8.40 was the city council speakers’ new rules. Items 8.41 (staff report) and 8.43 (staff report) were pulled for separate consideration. The consent agenda minus items 8.41 and 8.43 were approved, 9-0. 8.41 was for the suspension of MWOBE programs. It was approved, 6-3, with Galante, Hunter, and Odom-Wesley in opposition. Item 8.43 was for 380-agreements policies requiring MWOBE requirements. It was approved, 7-2, with Hunter and Odom-Wesley in opposition.

(42:59) The three ordinances (first readings) were 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 two items passed with separate 9-0 votes. The third item, the anti-discrimination item, will be considered at the October 14 council meeting. There was a speaker in opposition. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/09/17/arlington-city-council-changes-business-program-to-comply-with-federal-anti-dei-directives/ .

(49:14) The first public hearing was 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/ . This was approved with an 8-1 vote, with Boxall opposed.

(1:17:08) The second public hearing was for Arlington Cemetery declaration of plot abandonment (staff report). This is so the city will be able to sell plots at the cemetery. This was approved, 9-0.

(1:23:00) The resolution was 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.

(1:24:14) The Fielder Square redevelopment project had two tabled items from the September 2 consent agenda. The first was 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 was 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. There was one speaker in opposition. The item was NOT removed from the table and saw no action.

[Commentary: What is really disturbing is that this 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.]

(1:27:10) Citizen participation. The first speaker spoke of a domestic violence incident. The second speaker spoke of a truck parking issue. The third speaker spoke about getting some videos for an old public information request. The fourth and fifth speakers were two candidates for the TAD Board of Directors.

Economic Development Corporation (EDC)

We do not know the date of the next EDC Board meeting. Best guess, October 21.

# # # # # # # # # # # #

Upcoming Public Hearings

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 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 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. 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-and-zoning-regular-session-9-24-2025.pdf . There are two zoning case public hearings on the agenda.

Public hearing #1 is for Z03-56/P03-56R1, a revision to the existing development plan at 915 E. Randol Mill Road (staff report). It appears that Wal-Mart wishes to add solar panels.

Public hearing #1 is for PD15-05R1, a revision to the existing development plan at 5301 W. Pioneer Parkway (staff report). The original plan called for Phase II to add 9788 sq. ft. of building space. The applicant is wanting to increase Phase II to 23,000 sq. ft.

AISD School Board

The AISD School Board met this past Thursday, September 18. The agenda is available here: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=702312 . All board members were present. The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMv1GRxY8uI .

The meeting started with a workshop on profession learning (an item under the broad topic of culture). The workshop may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBejOhAX2w4&pp=0gcJCeAJAYcqIYzv

They reconvened in open session.

(3:05) The two appointments were approved, 7-0.

Brandon Howard – Assistant Principal at Arlington High.

Lizett Gonzalez – Assistant Principal at Moore Elementary.

(9:19) There were no speakers for open forum on agenda items.

Committee and staff reports.

(9:30) Finance and Audit Committee Report. They are looking at the possibility of offering employee daycare.

(11:06) Staff Survey Report. It was opened to the board for questions/comments about 22:10.

(31:07) Facility Improvement Planning Report. It was opened to the board for questions/comments about 35:06.

(47:22) TxEDCON report.

(50:48) Public Hearing on First RATING

Action Items.

(55:15) 1. Financial Futures Committee's charge was approved, 7-0.

(55:48) 2. Citizen Bond Oversight Committee's charge had a long discussion. It appears there will be another bond in the near future, possibly a smaller bond, followed by a very large bond. A motion to table failed, 3-4, with Trustees Fowler, Mike, and Wilbanks in favor. A motion to approve was passed, 7-0.

(1:21:06) 3. District improvement plan & HB3 goals. It was opened to the board for questions/comments on the district improvement plan about 1:31:48. About 1:42:53 started the HB3 discussion. The action item was approved, 7-0.

(1:46:07) 4. Adoption of the Campus Performance Objectives. It was opened to the board for questions/comments about 1:51:08. The objectives were approved, 7-0.

(1:57:39) 5. Adoption of AISD Values and Beliefs. The six categories are: Inclusive Culture, Strong Partnerships, Thriving Staff, Maximized Resources, Exceptional Experiences, Learning Environments. It was opened to the board for questions/comments about 2:01:07. The objectives were approved, 7-0.

(2:06:59) Consent agenda. Item 11.K was pulled for separate discussion. Item 11.K was to complete approximately ten million of the Phase IV of the 2019 Bond using the construction-manager-at-risk method for bid proposals. The consent agenda, minus item K, was approved, 7-0.

(2:13:33) Open forum for non-agenda items had one speaker. It was a TAD Board candidate.

(2:17:10) End of meeting reports.

The Board Brief by Ms. Haynes may be viewed at: https://www.aisd.net/district-news/watch-board-brief-from-sept-18-2025-trustees-meeting/ .

The next board meeting is scheduled for October 2.

# # # # # # # # # # # #

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 .

# # # # # # # # # # # #

Other News