July 7, 2025 Newsletter

Home ============ Teachers' Salaries ============ Citizens Defending Freedom vs. AISD Lawsuit ============== Taxpayers' Funds at Risk ============ Open Letter to AISD Taxpayers ============ July 14, 2025 Newsletter ============= Arlington City CouncilGrades ============= AISD Board Grades ================ July 7, 2025 Newsletter =========== June 30, 2025 Newsletter ============ June 23, 2025 Newsletter ============ June 16, 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 ==============

July 7, 2025 – Volume 19 Number 27

Highlights:

* City council to meet for executive session on Monday.

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, July 7: City Council meeting, 4:00pm (a specially called meeting for an executive session discussion on SB840).

Wednesday, July 16: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm.

Wednesday, July 23: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm.

Tuesday, August 5: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)

Wednesday, August 6: P&Z meeting, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm.

Tuesday, August 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.)

Thursday, August 14: Budget Town Hall meeting, South Police Station.

Thursday, August 21: Budget Town Hall meeting, City Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street.

From THE LOCKER ROOM

Arlington City Council Update

The city council did not meet last week. They have called a special meeting for today, Monday, July 7. They plan to go into executive session to discuss SB840. [SB840 is an awful thing. It allows for 36 units/acre apartments or mixed-use on anything zoned commercial without going through the zoning process.]

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Economic Development Corporation (EDC)

We do not know the next meeting date. Our best guess is July 17.

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Upcoming Public Hearings

On Wednesday, July 16, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD25-9 at 1401 S. Watson Road. They wish for a planned development on the 6.112 acres for RMF-22 (apartments). It is currently zoned commercial. If approved this will go to the city council on August 5.

On Wednesday, July 16, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP09-20R1 at 3031 E. Arkansas Lane. They wish to amend the gas drilling specific use permit. If approved this will go to the city council on August 5.

On Wednesday, July 16, P&Z will hold a public hearing on SUP25-5 at 2306 Park Run Drive. They wish for a specific use permit to allow a secondary living unit. If approved this will go to the city council on August 26.

On Wednesday, July 16, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD24-28 at 5920 Matlock Road. They wish for a planned development on the 3.165 acres for RM-12 (usually townhomes) and office. It is currently zoned all office commercial. If approved this will go to the city council on August 5.

On Wednesday, July 23, P&Z will hold a public hearing on Unified Development Code (UDC) updates (https://classifieds.mcclatchy.com/marketplace/fortworth/advert/-Notices_191589). If approved this will go to the city council on August 5.

On Tuesday, August 5, the city council will hold a public hearing to issue $12,000,000 in certificates of obligation (CO).

On Tuesday, August 26, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40 for a planned development for a portion of Lincoln Square.

On Tuesday, August 26, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD24-40-ASP for an alternate sign plan for Lincoln Square.

P&Z Commission

The next P&Z meeting should be Wednesday, July 16.

AISD School Board

The next AISD School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 5.

The AISD post of the 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

Of Tarrant County's 21 ISDs - Lowest Tax Rates [The rest are above $1.1300]

1. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD $0.923300

2. Carroll ISD $0.961700

3. HEB ISD $0.968900

4. Fort Worth ISD $1.062400

5. Keller ISD $1.085200