October 27, 2025 Newsletter
October 27, 2025 – Volume 19 Number 43
Highlights:
* Mayor Ross announces reelection bid…
* Early Voting ends Friday.
* Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, November 2.
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, October 27: Early Voting Continues, 7:00am – 7:00pm.
Wednesday, October 29: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at 3:30pm.)
Friday, October 31: Early Voting Ends, 7:00am – 7:00pm.
Friday, October 31: Halloween.
Sunday, November 2: Daylight Savings Time Ends, fall back an hour, 2:00am.
Tuesday, November 4: Election Day.
Tuesday, November 4: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Wednesday, November 5: Comprehensive Plan Workshop, First United Methodist Church, 313 N. Center Street, 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
Thursday, November 6: 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, November 11: Veterans Day.
Tuesday, November 11: Comprehensive Plan Workshop, East Library and Recreation Center, 1817 New York Avenue, 3:00pm – 7:00pm.
Wednesday, November 12: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm.)
Wednesday, November 12: Comprehensive Plan Workshop, ACTIV Center, 2601 W Green Oaks Boulevard, 3:00pm – 7:00pm.
Thursday, November 13: Comprehensive Plan Workshop, Southeast Library, 900 S.E. Green Oaks Boulevard, 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Tuesday, November 18: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Thursday, November 20: 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, October 21. There were two committee meetings, one quasi-committee meeting, the afternoon meeting, and the evening meeting. Council member Galante was absent all day. Council Member Pham attended the evening meeting virtually. All other council members attended the meetings.
Committee Meetings
The Community and Neighborhood Development Committee met to discuss the 2026 Housing Tax Credit cycle and review of city policy (presentation) and policy revisions of housing rehabilitation and tenant based rental assistance programs (presentation).
The Economic Development Committee met in executive session. Hold onto your wallets as they considered offers of incentives to business prospects.
The quasi-committee, Arlington Housing Finance Corporation met to approve the bonds for refinancing the $55,000,000 of bonds for the Reserve at Mayfield. The cost is expected to be $26,500,000.
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Afternoon Meeting
(3:38) Opened the meeting and went into executive session. That portion of the agenda included the infamous offers of incentives for business prospects. Council Members Galante, Piel, and Pham were not present at the start of the meeting. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5268 .
(1:12:53) They reconvened for the open portion of the afternoon meeting. Council Member Piel is now present. The agenda included three work session items, two informal staff reports, committee meetings updates, city council external committees, and evening and future agenda items.
The three work session items:
(1:13:03) A. Sister Cities of Arlington update (still no presentation available). She had a list of countries to start researching cities.
(1:33:27) B. International Corridor Implementation Steering Committee Final Report (presentation).
(1:57:12) C. Transportation Services Update (presentation). The general fund covers over $1 million for Handi-Tran, and over $4 million for On-Demand.
(2:53:03) The two informal staff reports.
- Innovate Arlington: Vision Framework (staff report).
- Cade Cunningham Court at Cravens Park (staff report).
(2:55:18) Committee meetings.
(2:58:35) External committees.
(3:01:22) Evening and future agenda items.
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Evening Meeting
The evening meeting saw Council Members Galante and Pham not in attendance. Council Member Pham attended virtually. The agenda contained 21 consent agenda items. The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=5269 .
(2:23) Start of meeting. There were two proclamations.
(12:20) The 28 consent agenda items were approved with an 8-0 vote.
(15:29) Citizen participation saw only one of three registered speakers. She spoke for her grandson regarding the need for public transportation.
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Leftovers: Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article telling us of Mayor Ross announcement of running for reelection. That article is at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/10/22/arlington-mayor-jim-ross-announces-reelection-bid/ .
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
Next EDC meeting???
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Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, November 4, the city council 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.
On Wednesday, November 12, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-10, 7819/7827 South Cooper Street. They wish to change the 9.622 acres from light industrial and flex hybrid to a planned development for RS-5 (small lot single family). If approved it will go to city council on December 9.
On Wednesday, November 12, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-15, 1119, Dan Gould. They wish to change the 0.654 acres from residential estate (RE) to a planned development for RM-12 (usually townhomes). If approved it will go to city council on December 9.
On Wednesday, November 12, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP25-6, 1917 W. Stanford Street. They are requesting a special use permit for a secondary living unit. If approved it will go to city council on December 9.
P&Z Commission
P&Z will meet this Wednesday, October 29. There are no zoning case public hearings. At the start of their work session they will get an update on form based code.
AISD School Board
The AISD School Board will meet next on November 6.
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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/ .
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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
- Arlington ISD $0.802200
- Birdville ISD $0.786900
- Fort Worth ISD $0.786900
- Lewisville ISD $0.786900
- 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 .
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Other News
November 4 Election
Voters will have their say on 17 constitutional amendments. Early voting starts Monday, October 20 and ends on Friday, October 31. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4.
Texas for Fiscal Responsibility staff has an article on the 17 amendments and whether they are pro- or anti- taxpayer: https://texastaxpayers.com/the-2025-proposed-amendments-to-the-texas-constitution/ .
Running for Reelection
Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article telling us of Mayor Ross announcement of running for reelection. That article is at: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/10/22/arlington-mayor-jim-ross-announces-reelection-bid/ .
Downtown Arlington Plan
James Ward, of UTA’s Shorthorn, has an article on the city’s Downtown Arlington Management Corporation’s presentation for downtown [and UTA] at: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/city/downtown-arlington-management-corp-shares-visions-for-downtown-and-uta/article_b996811f-59d7-49d6-b98c-c46270b9a888.html .
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
To be added to/deleted from our mailing list please e-mail your request to: ArlSpectator@yahoo.com