February 23, 2026 Newsletter
February 23, 2026 – Volume 20 Number 8
Highlights:
* Council will meet Tuesday to approve three resolutions of support for more low-income apartments and more funding for [the gigantic dollar vacuum known as] Anthem (they will add a public improvement district).
* Economic Development Corporation approves $25 million on Anthem (old Lincoln Square)
* Arlington Housing Finance Corporation to issue intent for $75 million in bonds.
* Election filings have closed. There are 14 city candidates and four candidates for AISD positions. We have sent out our questionnaires and we start publishing responses next week.
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, February 23: Early Voting for Primaries continues, 7:00am– 7:00pm.
Tuesday, February 24: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 9:00am, 3:00pm, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Friday, February 27: End of Early Voting for Primaries 7:00am-7:00pm.
Tuesday, March 3: Primaries Voting Day, 7:00am-7:00pm.
Wednesday, March 4: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Tuesday, March 10: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Thursday, March 12: 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.)
Tuesday, March 17: St. Patrick's Day.
Tuesday, March 24: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, March 25: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Thursday, March 26: 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 Arlington City Council will meet this Tuesday, February 24, for a full slate of meetings. The first of three committee meetings is at 9:00am. The afternoon meeting begins at 1:15pm and will go into executive session. The open portion of the afternoon meeting will begin no sooner than 3:00pm. The evening meeting is at 6:30pm.
Committee Meetings
The Municipal Policy Committee meeting begins at 9:00am. They are expected to spend an hour on form-based code updates (presentation). They are encouraging super-high densities, including up to 100 unit/acre. [Commentary: They wish to ruin Arlington. This is happening. They are moving ahead, full-steam.]
The Community and Neighborhood Development will meet at 10:15am. They are expected to discuss multi-family inspection score (presentation, 30 minutes) and PY [plan year] 2026 Action Plan, finalizing the CDBG and ESG reviews (presentation, 60 minutes).
The Economic Development Committee will meet at noon, but don't rush to get there; you are not invited. Hold onto your wallets because their executive session agenda includes offers of incentives to business prospects.
The quasi-committee Arlington Housing Finance Corporation will meet at 12:45pm (agenda). That agenda includes the intent to issue $75,000,000 in bonds for the apartments at 1801 E. Arkansas Lane. [Commentary: Is it just me or does anyone else find it disgusting that they raise the tax rate on citizens so they can build more and more apartments?]
Afternoon Meeting
The afternoon meeting begins at 1:15pm, but goes into executive session. The agenda for the executive session includes:
West Pressure Plane 16-inch Water Main Improvements
Division Street Sidewalk Project discussion
Council Appointees Performance Reviews
Offers of incentives to business prospects
The open portion of the afternoon meeting will begin no sooner than 3:00pm. That portion of the agenda includes four work session items, one informal staff report, appointments (list), and external committee reports.
The four work session items:
1. 2025 Racial Profiling Analysis (presentation , report)
2. Review of Housing Tax Credit Applications (presentation).
3. Arlington's Sesquicentennial Celebration (presentation).
4. Council Priority – Strengthening our Communities (presentation).
The one informal staff report deals with used auto sales certificate of occupancy update (staff report , map , table of invalid codes).
Evening Meeting
The agenda for the 6:30pm evening meeting includes appointments, six items from executive session, minutes, 34 consent agenda items, three public hearings, and three resolutions.
Consent agenda 8.22 is to purchase Constellation Handley Power 20.979 acres for $1.14 million using Fire Bond funds [yet, another pocket] (staff report).
Consent agenda 8.25 is three Tax Credit Resolutions of Support, each carrying a waiver of $500 of permit fees [yes, we the taxpayers are paying for this] (staff report).
Consent agenda 8.33 is an amendment to the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation (DAMC) contract (staff report). It will increase funding to DAMC by more than a million dollars over two years.
The first public hearing is to create an Anthem Public Improvement District (staff report , resolution).
The second public hearing is to fund the Anthem Public Improvement District just created (staff report , ordinance). It appears to be for 28 years.
The third public hearing is for s specific use permit SUP25-11 for a tattoo parlor or piercing studio at 536 W. Randol Mill Road (staff report).
The final three resolutions:
1. Anthem Development Agreement with the Economic Development Corporation for $25,000,000. [Commentary: more money after bad into the black hole to force this project to come true. How many people remember when they first announced this project? – they were so happy with it costing taxpayers only $14,750,000.]
2. Purchase of 700 W. Lamar, 715 Ryan Plaza, 701 Ryan Plaza, and 1610 N. Collins (staff report , resolution , attachment). $19,000,000+closing costs. [Commentary: so, they raised the tax rate on taxpayers, yet have no problem buying this, and taking it off the tax rolls. They are using a water-pay go account [whatever that means], just another of many pockets they have in which to tuck away money and spend like crazy.]
3. Event Agreement-2026 FIFA World Cup (staff report). $850,000 which I think will be reimbursed.
Council Leftovers
Filing for the May election has ended. This year we will see the election for Mayor, District 3, District 4, District 5, and District 8.
Ballot Order:
Mayor
Hunter Crow
(i) Jim Ross
Shaun Mallory
Steve Cavender
District 3
Kelly Burke
(i) Nikkie Hunter
District 4
Tom Ware
Rojo Meixueiro
Lisa Ventura
District 5
(i) Rebecca Boxall
Brittney Garcia-Dumas
District 8
Jason Shelton
Melody Fowler
Corey Harris
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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 newly built 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.
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
The EDC Board and CIPAC met this past Tuesday, February 17.
The Capital Improvements Program Advisory Committee (CIPAC) agenda is at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/february-17,-2026-capital-improvements-program-advisory-committee.pdf . They needed to pass a report onto the council (staff report , report).
The regular board meeting board agenda is at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/february-17,-2026.pdf . That agenda includes last month's minutes (minutes), standing reports, FIFA update (presentation), two action items, an executive director's report (presentation) and an executive session.
There were two standing reports:
1. Financials (not available at the time of this writing).
2. Industrial Snap Shot (report).
The two action items were:
1. Anthem (old Lincoln Square) Development Agreement (staff report). This is for spending $24,489,509 from FY26-FY31. [Commentary: The spending of EDC funds was NOT part of the original deal. Taxpayer-owned funds are being used by the tens of millions of dollars. Again, the city has far too many little pockets of our money stored up that they manage to access when they want something for their buddies instead of giving any tax breaks to the taxpaying citizens.] This was approved.
2. A professional services contract for surveying the asbestos at previously bought properties (staff report). This was approved.
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Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, February 24, the city council will hold a public hearing on creating a public improvement district for Anthem (the redevelopment of Lincoln Square).
On Tuesday, February 24, the city council will hold a public hearing on fund for the newly created public improvement district for Anthem (the redevelopment of Lincoln Square).
On Tuesday, February 24, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP25-11, 536 W. Randol Mill Road. They wish to obtain a Specific Use Permit for a Tattoo Parlor or Piercing Studio on a property zoned Community Commercial (CC).
On Wednesday, March 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD26-1, at 109 W. Rogers Street. They wish to revise the current development plan. If approved, it will go to the city council on April 7.
On Wednesday, March 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing on ZA26-2, at 2401 W Green Oaks Boulevard. They wish to change the current development plan for a veterinary office to a “straight” neighborhood commercial (NC) zoning. If approved, it will go to the city council on April 7.
On Wednesday, March 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP08-2R1, at 8380 Glenn Day Drive. They wish to amend the current specific use permit for gas drilling. If approved, it will go to the city council on April 7.
On Wednesday, March 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SN-FBZD26-01, on 681.63 acres of 1162 tracts for form-based zoning. Boundaries west: Davis Street; south: UTA Boulevard; east: Willis Avenue; and north: Stanford Street. If approved, it will go to the city council on April 7.
On Wednesday, March 4, P&Z will hold a public hearing to update the Unified Development Code (UDC) for form-based zoning. If approved, it will go to the city council on April 7.
On Tuesday, March 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP10-23R4, 408 113th Street. They wish for high impact IM (Industrial Manufacturing) on 2.379 acres.
On Tuesday, March 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP25-10, 2102 Prestonwood Drive. They wish for a secondary living unit on 0.749 acres.
On Tuesday, March 10, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD25-14, 1112 N. Collins Street. They wish to change the current CC (community commercial) to a PD-CC use plus a package liquor store.
On Tuesday, March 24, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD25-23, at 2301 N. Collins Street (at Brown Trail). They wish to change the CC (community commercial) to a planned development plus a billiard parlor and package liquor store.
On Tuesday, March 24, the city council will hold a public hearing on ZA26-01, at 300 W. Park Row Drive. They wish for a straight zoning change from CC (community commercial) to residential medium density (RM-12), usually townhomes.
On Wednesday, March 25, 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.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
P&Z Commission
P&Z met this past Wednesday, February 18. The agenda is 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-commission-regular-session-02-18-2026.pdf . The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=10&clip_id=5376 .
(2:19) Public hearing #1 was for PD25-8 (2100 S.E. Green Oaks Boulevard). They wish for a planned development for community commercial plus a car wash (staff report). The applicant asked for a continuance until March 25, approved, 8-1.
(3:28) Public hearing #2 was for PD25-23 (2301 N. Collins Street). They wish for a planned development for community commercial plus a billiard parlor and package liquor store (staff report). The billiard parlor exists today and they are wishing to add the package liquor store. This was approved, 7-2.
(32:34) Public hearing #3 was for ZA26-01 (300 W. Park Row). They wish for a straight zoning change from office commercial to RM-12, usually townhomes (staff report).This was approved, 9-0.
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AISD School Board
The AISD Board met this past Thursday, February 19. The agenda can be found at: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2978?meeting=728464 . Trustees Fowler and Haynes were not present. The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATftu_gK3FY .
They opened the meeting and went into executive session with legal discussions on:
* personnel
* potential and pending litigation
* proposed termination of a probationary contract
* legal training on trustee communications
(4:13) Recognitions.
(11:23) Citizen forum on agenda items. There was one speaker opposed to SB11 (period of prayer). [The AISD hid this item really well. The last item in the consent agenda was “9.L. Resolution re: T.E.C. [two funny “section” “s”es] 25.0823 and 25.901” (resolution)]
(15:51) Committee and staff reports.
1. Finance and Academic Committee report.
2. Mid-Year Academic Progress report (presentation). About 34:30 they opened it up to board questions/comments.
The five action items are:
(46:41) 1. Consider adopting the election notice. It was approved, 5-0.
(47:25) 2. Consider adopting staff's budget parameters and assumptions (parameters). About 49:03 it is opened up to the board for questions/comments. It was approved, 5-0.
(53:00) 3. Consider boundary changes because of the Blanton Elementary closure (presentation). Since Blanton was “failing” the boundaries cannot include another “failing” school. About 59:31 it is opened to the board for questions/comments. It was approved, 5-0.
(1:12:58) 4. Consider the adoption of the AISD Vision (presentation). About 1:15:45 it was opened up to board comments/questions. There was a preference of option 1 or option 4. They altered/combined option 1 and option 4 and approved that version, 5-0.
(1:32:17) 5. Consider the termination of the probationary contract discussed in executive session. This was approved, 5-0.
(1:34:32) Consent agenda. Nothing was pulled or discussed. This was approved, including the SB11 (period of prayer), 5-0.
(1:35:10) Citizen forum for non-agenda items had one registered speaker, but he was not present.
(1:35:35) End-of-meeting reports.
Mr. Mike presented the Board Brief of the meeting at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqC5SzU8OEE .
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 money-saving efforts 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 tries to claim 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.
AISD Election Filings:
Place 6
(i) Brooklyn Richardson
Jan Tyler
Place 7
(i) LeAnne Haynes
Linton Davis
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/ .
There has been a recent Arlington Report article by Drew Shaw about the dismissed David Jarvis lawsuit against the AISD. It can be found at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/12/31/federal-judge-dismisses-lawsuit-against-arlington-isd-about-first-amendment-retaliation/ .
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
Six Flags Opens Saturday
Six Flags opens Saturday. An article by Six Flags Communications that appeared on the City of Arlington News page: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/News-Articles/2026/February/Six-Flags-Over-Texas-Begins-Monumental-65th-Season-on-Feb.-28-2026 .
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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