Fort Worth 2026 Bond & Charter Amendment Education Meeting – April 14, 2026

On April 14, 2026, the City of Fort Worth held a public education meeting at a community center to inform residents about the proposed 2026 Bond Program and nine charter amendments on the May 2, 2026 special election ballot. The meeting, streamed live on YouTube, was led by Senior Capital Projects Officer Afor Rose Escomia, with presentations from City Manager Jay Chapa and Assistant City Attorney Trey Qualls. The bond package totals $845 million across six propositions (A–F), structured to avoid a property tax rate increase. Early voting runs April 20–28, 2026, and election day is May 2, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rolando (resident/taxpayer) asked which schools are included in Proposition A’s traffic safety improvements. Staff clarified improvements focus on existing schools needing signalized intersections, pedestrian push buttons, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons, and that all schools (public, private, religious) are considered.
• Dolores Connor (Historic Carver Heights Neighborhood Association) questioned plans for development of West Arlington Lake, noting the east side appears neglected compared to Arlington’s developed shoreline. Staff responded that the city recently acquired ~200 acres adjacent to EUG McRae Park to preserve public shoreline, but no master plan exists yet. Connor expressed frustration with delays; staff and Parks assistant director Monique Hill acknowledged concerns and noted council member Peoples is pushing for improvements.
• Unnamed resident asked what could drive a tax increase given the city’s “no anticipated increase” statement. City Manager Jay Chapa explained that the bond is designed to fit within the existing debt service tax rate (14.75¢ per $100 valuation) by paying off old bonds as new ones are issued. If the economy collapses, the city would stretch the program over more years rather than raise the tax rate.
• Unnamed resident asked how the charter amendments were selected and why some (like H and M) are needed. Trey Qualls described them as mostly “clean-up” items to align with state law and remove redundancies. A follow-up exchange highlighted that Proposition H removes a hearing requirement for terminated department directors because the council cannot reinstate them, and the redundancy creates legal costs.
• Unnamed resident (opposed to council pay raise) criticized Proposition G, stating council does not deserve a raise due to low attendance at meetings and high spending on community engagement staff. He declared he would vote “no” on the entire bond package “to send a message.”
• Tara Moldanotto‑Wilson (nurse and city council candidate) spoke in favor of Proposition G, arguing that low pay prevents regular people from serving, and that independently wealthy council members may not feel financial pressures affecting constituents.
• Unnamed resident asked about Proposition O (changing “purchase order” to “appropriate written documentation”). Chapa explained it stems from a past audit dispute; the update prevents legal challenges over outdated language and does not affect payment validity.
• Unnamed resident asked how cost projections account for inflation and potential overruns. Chapa said each project includes inflation projections, and the city can reallocate savings from under-budget projects to cover overruns.

Discussion Items

• Bond Program Development & Engagement: Escomia outlined the process starting March 4, 2025, with a council proposal and city‑wide meetings October 20–November 17, 2025. Engagement statistics: 18,220 website views, 260 attendees across 11 district meetings, 1,109 YouTube views, 329 submitted comments (141 in‑person/email, 188 via Balancing Act). Council ordered the election on February 10, 2026, and added $5 million to Proposition D (affordable housing) from additional debt capacity, raising it to $10 million.
• Bond Propositions:
  • A: $511.5 million for streets and mobility (12 major roadways, $328M for street rehabilitation, intersections, sidewalks, bridges, school safety).
  • B: $185.14 million for parks, recreation, and open space (aquatic facilities, athletic complexes, botanic garden, community centers, trails, land acquisition).
  • C: $14.586 million for public libraries (remodeling Southwest Regional, Diamond Hill Jarvis, and relocating Fort Worth History Center).
  • D: $10 million for affordable housing (land acquisition, construction, home repair programs, loans/grants, targeting households up to 120% AMI).
  • E: $63.9193 million for police/fire/emergency communications (new fire stations 46 and 40, new emergency communications center).
  • F: $59.874 million for animal care (new shelter with expanded veterinary, modern kennels, natural light, play yards).
  • Public art funding: up to 1% for Prop A, 2% for B, C, E, F, and 0% for D (consistent with ordinance update).
• Bond Mechanics: Chapa explained the city property tax rate of 67¢ per $100 valuation: 52.25¢ for operations, 14.75¢ for debt service. Bonds are general obligation, repaid over ~20 years without increasing the 14.75¢ rate. The city’s bond rating is AA+ (second highest); no defaults in history.
• Charter Amendments (G–O): Trey Qualls presented each:
  • G: Increase council pay to $50,000 and mayor to $60,000 annually (from $25K/$29K), effective FY2027.
  • H: Remove requirement for terminated department directors to request a city council hearing (redundant; council cannot rehire).
  • I: Similarly remove hearing requirement for council‑appointed officers (city manager, city attorney, city auditor) after termination.
  • J: Allow budget adoption on the same day as the budget hearing (currently requires separate meeting).
  • K: Remove requirement for public service corporations (franchise utilities) to file annual reports with the city (redundant with state filings).
  • L: Allow designated staff to administratively approve grants of privilege (e.g., solid waste haulers) instead of requiring council ordinances each time.
  • M: Allow city manager to reorganize departments not created by charter or ordinance, without council action.
  • N: Align city charter vacancy‑election deadlines with state election code.
  • O: Replace “purchase order” with “appropriate written documentation” for debt payments (to reflect modern payment methods).
• Sample Ballot: Escomia displayed the sample ballot, noting the state‑mandated “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE” language despite the city’s plan for no increase.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken; the meeting was purely educational.
• Three additional citywide bond and charter education meetings are scheduled through April 18, 2026.
• Early voting begins April 20, 2026; election day is May 2, 2026.
• Residents were encouraged to review the bond book (available at FortWorthTexas.gov/2026bond) and charter materials (FortWorthTexas.gov/2026charter), and to contact their council members with feedback.
• Staff committed to following up with Dolores Connor on West Arlington Lake planning and to connect her with relevant corridor study contacts.