April 27, 2026 Newsletter
April 27, 2026 – Volume 20 Number 17
Highlights:
* City Council approves Cowboy extension.
* Early voting continues Monday, ends Tuesday; Election Day is Saturday.
* P&Z has more apartments on the agenda.
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, April 27: Early Voting continues for Municipal and ISD May 2 Election, 7:00am-7:00pm.
Monday, April 27: District 5 Town Hall, Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:00pm.
Tuesday, April 28: City Council Spring Retreat, Texas Rangers Golf Clubhouse, 701 Brown Trail, 8:30am.
Tuesday, April 28: End of Early Voting for Municipal and ISD May 2 Election, 7:00am-7:00pm.
Wednesday, April 29: P&Z meeting, Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at 2:30pm)
Saturday, May 2: Municipal and ISD Elections, 7:00am-7:00pm.
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.
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The Arlington City Council met for a full slate of meetings this past Tuesday, April 21. They approved the Cowboy extension. They are also moving forward regarding the rehab of the 240 units at the Mayfield Park Apartments.
This Tuesday they will meet 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 .
Last week's meetings:
Committee Meetings
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee met (presentation). [Cost of the renovations is $21 million. The tax credit loan is for $55 million. The project cost, including acquisition, is listed at $77.5 million. The property value (I assume TAD) is $16.5 million. So, we are going to give a loan of $55 million for $21 million of renovations on a property valued at $16.5 million.]
The quasi-committee Arlington Housing Finance Corporation met (agenda). Their agenda included four resolutions regarding the Mayfield Park deal mentioned above.
Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting began and went into executive session. The executive session agenda included:
another sidewalk agreement at 505 E. Division Street
a street easement right-of-way at 1400 Debbie Lane
council appointees performance reviews
offers of incentives for business prospects
The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5426 .
(9:58) Start of meeting. Council members Hunter, Piel, and Boxall did not seem present. When they reconvened all were present.
The open portion of the afternoon meeting included three work session items, one informal staff report, committee reports, board appointments (link), and council external committee reports.
The three work session items were:
(4:33:21) 1. Police Department Annual Report (presentation , report). About 4:50:48 it is opened to the council for questions/comments.
(5:04:48) 2. Cowboy extension (presentation). About 5:39:58 it was opened to the council for questions/comments. [Commentary: my over-simplification is basically the money that would be used for paying off bonds early will now be used for operations/maintenance (the new $273 million of expenses) and bonds will still continue through 2048 (not being paid off early)].
(6:07:02) 3. Homelessness update (presentation). About 6:22:57 it was opened to the council for questions/comments.
(6:33:23) The informal staff report of an overview of boards and commissions (staff report , policy statement).
(6:44:44) Committee reports.
(6:49:22) Evening agenda items.
(6:50:27) External committees.
(6:58:48) Future agenda items.
Evening Meeting
The evening agenda included an appointment, two executive session items, minutes, 24 consent agenda items, two resolutions, two public hearings, and three ordinances. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5427 .
(5:37) Start of meeting. The appointment, two executive session items, and minutes were approved with three 9-0 votes.
(21:26) The consent agenda of 24 items saw two items removed for separate consideration, 8.17 (drilling permit, second reading) and 8.24 the resolution of no objection for the Mayfield Place Apartments. The consent agenda minus those two items saw one speaker in support of 8.18, the smoking ordinance modifications, and was approved, 9-0.
Consent agenda item 8.12 was $264,800 for a “Touch of Time” sculpture (staff report , figA , figB). [What a waste of dollars!!! This is Arlington Tomorrow Foundation funds.] The city's Office of Communications has an article at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2026/April/Council-Approves-150th-Anniversary-Public-Art-Piece-Touched-by-Time .
Item 8.17 was approved, 8-1, with Hunter in opposition.
Consent agenda item 8.24 was a resolution of “No objection” for tax credits to the April Housing project discussed above in the committee meeting (staff report). Staff explained how the Arlington Housing Finance Corporation owns the land and does NOT pay property taxes, but they negotiate a deal for a fee of the city taxes. However, AISD taxpayers are screwed as they pay NO taxes to the AISD. It was approved, 9-0. [Yet, the AISD board members who claim it is important to be efficient in spending DO NOTHING...]
(31:39) Resolution 11.1 was to extend the Dallas Cowboys Lease extension (staff report , resolution). Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/04/16/arlington-could-invest-273-million-to-extend-dallas-cowboys-lease-of-att-stadium/ . There were eight speakers in support and five speakers in opposition. It was approved, 7-2, with Hunter and Hogg in opposition.
The city's Office of Communication has an article at: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2026/April/City-Council-Approves-Agreement-to-Extend-Dallas-Cowboys-Lease . James Ward of The Shorthorn has an article at: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/city/arlington-city-council-approves-dallas-cowboys-lease-extension-at-t-stadium-funding/article_d0a441e6-01b5-4fcf-9eca-86c06c4d9783.html . Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/04/21/arlington-will-spend-273m-on-att-stadium-improvements-extend-dallas-cowboys-lease/ .
(1:48:50) Resolution 11.2 was approving a “General and No Litigation Certificate” regarding the $55 million in bonds discussed above in the committee meeting (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.
(1:50:43) Public hearing 12.1 was a required public hearing for citizens about the Arlington Housing Finance Corporation and April Housing deal discussed above in the committee meeting.
(1:51:23) Public hearing 12.2 was for consideration of a Gas Well Permit at 8380 Glenn Day Drive (staff report). It was approved, 8-1, with Hunter in opposition.
(1:52:44) Ordinances 13.1 (staff report , $142,544,000) and 13.2 (staff report , $103,850,000) were for the issuing of bonds.
(1:54:19) Ordinance 13.3 was for modifying the “Major Sports Complex” Chapter of City Code (staff report).
(1:55:05) Citizen participation. Nine speakers were registered. The first actual speaker spoke on the I.C.E detainee. The second speaker was a complaint of a certain police officer. The third speaker spoke on his homelessness issue again. The fourth speaker was again speaking on the I.C.E. detainee. The fifth speaker spoke on Tarrant Appraisal District.
Council Leftovers
RECOMMENDATIONS
Let me ask you a quick question. If a politician does not answer your questions while asking for your vote, what do you think the odds will be of getting answers after they are in office?
MAYOR
I was greatly disappointed in our choices for mayor. I cannot understand Hunter Crow when he speaks. I cannot make that selection. We know what we have in Jim Ross (Arlington Spectator grade of a very low F) and it is very bad. I strongly considered business owner Shaun Mallory and thought about delaying my selection [of the top two favorites] until the runoff, if needed, but then circled back to making a decision now. The stuff you read on social media (Charlie Parker, Joe Bruner) is in my opinion very accurate. Steve Cavender/Jeff Williams is actually worse than Ross. Taxpayers Funds at Risk (http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_83.html), is in my opinion far more likely “stuff” during a Jeff Williams/puppet era.
As painful as it is for me to write, the least awful choice for Mayor is JIM ROSS.
DISTRICT 3
I actually liked both of the choices here, Kelly Burke and Nikkie Hunter. Hunter is the incumbent and has an Arlington Spectator grade of a high D, the highest on the city council. Then she stopped answering the questions [these are softballs].
The recommendation for District 3 is KELLY BURKE.
DISTRICT 4
The incumbent, Andrew Piel, has termed out, YEAH. We get to replace his Arlington Spectator grade of F with someone new. The apartment-loving, wasteful establishment wants Tom Ware. The far left wants Rojo Meixueiro. Easily the best choice for the people is Lisa Ventura.
My STRONG RECOMMENDATION for District 4 is LISA VENTURA.
DISTRICT 5
The incumbent is Rebecca Boxall. She has an Arlington Spectator grade of a low D. The challenger, Brittney Garcia-Dumas is the far left's choice.
The recommendation for District 5 is REBECCA BOXALL.
DISTRICT 8
The incumbent, Barbara Odom-Wesley, has termed out, YEAH. We get to replace her Arlington Spectator grade of F with someone new. Much like the mayoral race, there is not anything here to like. The far left likes Shelton. Fowler, the wasteful establishment choice, has always wanted to raise taxes.
My District 8 least awful choice is COREY HARRIS.
Also, as part of the city election will be the vote for whether or not to continue with the 1/4-cent sales tax for road repairs.
[Commentary: Early voting has started; ends Tuesday. Election Day is Saturday.
There has definitely been some feedback, positive and negative, on the selection of Jim Ross for Mayor. Cavender has done nothing to impress me as being anything more than a puppet, with old age. I do not like Ross, but given the choices, he is the least awful choice. The stadium extension has done to change that. I still have no reason to believe that Cavender is anything other than Williams' puppet. How many remember the second stadium vote where the city did not answer questions, but gave that function to the Rangers where they blocked people who asked questions they did not like. Ross is still the least awful choice of this group, and about a zillion times better than Williams...
Voters in District 4 (generally considered west Arlington) Lisa Ventura is strongly recommended.
Other better choices are District 5-Rebecca Boxall, and either Kelly Burke or Nikkie Hunter in District 3.]
# # # # # # # # # # # #
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)
The EDC Board met this past Wednesday, April 22. The agenda can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/april-22,-2026.pdf .
The agenda included:
- minutes (March 11)
- standing reports (financial , industrial market)
- project updates
- the one action item
- executive director's report (presentation)
The one action item was to purchase the southwest corner of land of Lamar Boulevard & Collins Street from the city (staff report). I have no doubt that this was approved.
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Wednesday, April 29, P&Z 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. If approved, it will go to the city council on June 9.
On Wednesday, April 29, P&Z 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. If approved, it will go to the city council on June 9.
On Wednesday, April 29, 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. If approved, it will go to the city council on June 9.
On Wednesday, April 29, 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. If approved, it will go to the city council on June 9.
On Wednesday, April 29, P&Z 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. If approved, it will go to the city council on June 9.
On Wednesday, April 29, P&Z 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. If approved, it will go to the city council on June 9.
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.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
P&Z Commission
P&Z will meet this Wednesday, April 29. They have six public hearings on their agenda (https://granicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/arlingtontx/cb8fb1cf56c76daf96442d8b98eefb4d0.html).
The first two public hearings (SUP08-15R1 and SUP07-17R1) are 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).
The third public hearing is 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.
The fourth public hearing is 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.
The fifth public hearing is 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.
The final public hearing is 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.
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board met last Thursday, April 23. The agenda included a workshop on safety and discipline, an executive session, recognitions, open forum for agenda items, five committee and staff reports, consent agenda, open forum for non-agenda items, and end-of-meeting reports.
The workshop was for safety and discipline and can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=480A-xw3bhM .
The executive session included:
personnel
potential and pending litigation
real property
intruder detection audit findings
discipline of a public school child (551.082 and 551.0821)
The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzz1WLI2Uu4 . Ms. Haynes was not present at the meeting at the beginning; she was attending an AISD event and was scheduled to join later.
They reconvened in open session at 7:11pm.
(16:32) Open forum for agenda items saw no speakers. Ms. Haynes was now present.
The five committee and staff reports.
(17:02) Spring demographer report (presentation). He is projecting a continual dip in attendance figures, down to about 43,000 in seven-ten years. About 33:21 it was opened to the board for questions/comments.
(48:56) Financial update, 2026-27 preliminary budget report (presentation). About 1:03:05 it was opened to the board for questions/comments.
(1:07:33) Special Education performance report (presentation). About 1:21:40 it was opened to the board for questions/comments.
(1:38:02) Principal incentive program report (presentation). About 1:45:36 it was opened to the board for questions/comments.
(1:51:05) Trustee continuing education hours report.
(1:52:24) Consent agenda. Nothing was pulled or discussed. It was approved, 7-0.
(1:53:07) Open forum for non-agenda items. There was one speaker. She awarded Ms. McMurrough and Mr. Mike for their going all out at an event.
(1:59:10) End-of-meeting reports.
The Board Brief by Ms. Fowler can be found at: https://www.aisd.net/district-news/watch-board-brief-from-trustees-meeting-on-april-23-2026/ .
May 2, 2026 AISD Election
RECOMMENDATIONS
AISD – PLACE 6
This race is between challenger Jan Tyler and incumbent Brooklyn Richardson. Tyler is a former Arlington teacher. Richardson still fails to accept that the AISD has the highest ISD M&O for Tarrant County, no matter what TAD says.
My STRONG RECOMMENDATION for AISD-Place 6 is JAN TYLER.
AISD – PLACE 7
This race is between incumbent Leanne Haynes and challenger Linton Davis. Three years ago, Davis supported Haynes.
The recommendation for AISD – Place 7 is LINTON DAVIS.
AISD Bond Election
https://www.aisd.net/bond-2026/
[Commentary: I have a great deal of difficulty accepting this bond. AISD has a decreasing student population from 63,000+ to maybe under 50,000 this coming school year. Other districts, in an effort to save money, have closed schools, which makes very logical sense. AISD will be closing its first school (Blanton Elementary) at the end of this school year.
The board went out of its way to add a second (unnamed/unplanned?) elementary school replacement [South Davis Elementary was the first and named school replacement], basically saying, here, raise the tax rate, give us the money and we will decide.
The board claims to make fact-based decisions; however, they seem to be failing. Where are the fact-based decisions on saving the taxpayers’ dollars and being efficient with taxpayers’ funds? Why have they not come up with plans to being more efficient with taxpayers’ funds rather than just raising the tax rate, giving them money, and having no specific plans on a second school replacement.
I say vote NO at least to Proposition A of the AISD Bond package.]
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 do the stadium extension without a vote of the public, 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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