September 21, 2026 Newsletter
September 21, 2026 – Volume 20 Number 38
Highlights:
* The council approves budget and the same tax rate as last year. Two new council members wanted a higher tax rate.
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
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:
Thursday, September 24: 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, September 29: City Council meetings, 101 W. Abram Street, 6:30pm. (You must preregister online by 5:00pm to speak during citizen participation.)
Tuesday, October 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.)
Wednesday, October 7: P&Z meeting, Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm)
Tuesday, October 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.)
Wednesday, October 21: P&Z meeting, Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram Street, 5:30pm. (Work session at x:xxpm)
From THE LOCKER ROOM
Arlington City Council Update
The Arlington City Council met this past Tuesday, September 15, for mostly budget/fiscal year-related ordinances.
Evening Meeting
The agenda for the meeting can be found at: https://granicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/arlingtontx/cbd3ecef3271164e704a5f8d49d97e240.html . The meeting may be viewed at: https://arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5543?view_id=9&redirect=true .
(17:06) Start of meeting.
(20:21) The consent agenda included 19 items. The mayor pulled items 6.2 and 6.3, the budget and the tax rate, from the consent agenda. The rest of the consent agenda was approved, 9-0. The budget was passed, 9-0. The tax rate was approved, 7-2, with Garcia-Dumas and Shelton opposed. [There is an Arlington Report article by Chris Moss at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/09/17/arlington-council-gives-final-go-ahead-to-budget-tax-rate .
(24:34) The resolution for a cost recovery policy (staff report). It was approved, 9-0.
(28:31) Citizen participation. Both registered speakers were not present.
Council Leftovers
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 federal HOME-ARP funds. Part of the city/local funds use approximately $3,850,000 in 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???].
Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article on the Arlington homelessness issue and the mention of this project by the mayor. That article can be found at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/05/21/arlington-to-boost-permanent-housing-for-homeless-as-feds-slash-funding/ .
Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
The EDC met on Thursday, September 17. The agenda for the meeting can be found at: https://arlingtontxedc.com/assets/main/agendas/september-17,-2026.pdf .
We ASSUME:
- they approved the minutes (August meeting),
- received information on standing reports (financials-not posted online, real estate report-retail),
- received updates on existing projects (many projects listed, but nothing posted online),
- received an update on the welcome center,
- received a presentation on the options of Anthem office pad (presentation),
- approved four action items
- + Chapter 380 grant with Advanced Composite Structures America Incorporated (staff report , resolution),
- + adopting an Arlington Film Incentive program (staff report , resolution),
- + a civil engineering professional services regarding the Center Street Gateway project (staff report),
- + Business Innovation & Research & Development (BIRD) Matching Funds Program with TakPar Technologies LLC (staff report , performance agreement), and
- presented the executive director's report (presentation).
Upcoming Public Hearings
On Tuesday, September 29, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP26-02, at 2401 Havenwood Drive. They wish for a secondary living unit on 0.215 acres.
On Tuesday, September 29, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD26-08, 7204 Mitchell Parkway, to change from residential estate (RE) to RE with an electricity utility substation on 10.560 acres.
On Wednesday, October 7, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD26-09, 2245 Carter Drive, to change to a planned development (PD) for multi-family (RMF-22) on 5.899 acres.
On Tuesday, October 13, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD26-10, 7201/7205 U.S. Business Highway 287, to change to a planned development (PD) for industrial including auto repair garage (major) on 2.195 acres.
On Tuesday, October 13, the city council will hold a public hearing on PD26-15, at 6203 Tempest Drive. They wish to allow for a garage conversion on an RS-5 property.
On Wednesday, October 21, P&Z will hold a public hearing on PD26-16, at 511 N. Davis Drive. They wish to change from RM-12 to a planned development (RM-12).
On Tuesday, October 27, the city council will hold a public hearing on SUP25-13, at 500 E. Abram Street. They wish for a specific use permit for a banquet hall.
# # # # # # # # # # # #
P&Z Commission
P&Z met on Wednesday, September 16. The agenda for that meeting can be found at: https://granicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/arlingtontx/aeeebee39544ee3bdfb537b3bcf5d8120.html . The meeting may be viewed at: arlingtontx.granicus.com/player/clip/5546?view_id=10&redirect=true . There were three zoning case public hearings to be heard.
(5:06) The first public hearing was for case SUP25-13, 500 E. Abram Street (staff report). They wish for a specific use permit for a banquet hall. It was approved, 8-0-1.
(23:04) The second public hearing was for case PD26-15, 6203 Tempest Drive (staff report). They wish to do a garage conversion. It was approved, 9-0.
(43:45) The last public hearing was for case PD26-16, 511 N. Davis Drive (staff report). They wish to change zoning from RM-12 to a planned development for RM-12. They wish to construct a 3-unit, 3-story townhome behind an existing two-unit townhome. There were two deviations. A CONTINUANCE until October 21 was approved, 8-1.
AISD School Board
The board will meet this Thursday, September 24. The agenda should be posting on Monday.
South Davis $65 Million School
Voters approved $65 million for the rebuilding of South Davis Elementary. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article about what that will look like at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/09/03/inside-arlington-isds-65m-south-davis-elementary-rebuild-plans/ .
AISD Looking to Fill Citizen Boards
The AISD is looking to fill citizen board positions. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/08/20/new-resident-committees-will-look-to-arlington-isds-future/ .
Sixth Grade to Move to Junior Highs in 2027
Moving sixth grade to the junior highs was approved, 5-2, with Wilbanks and Fowler opposed (presentation). Bianca Rodriguez-Mora of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/06/18/arlington-isd-moves-6th-grade-to-junior-high-level-despite-parent-concerns/ .
Demographer's Findings
The school board had a workshop on Thursday, May 21 regarding the demographer's findings for the district. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/05/24/as-enrollment-declines-arlington-isd-leaders-signal-potential-school-closures/ .
Article on the STEM issue/cuts
It has been reported that the AISD leadership administration has met with staff telling them there will be cuts in positions because of the budget shortfall. That budget went into effect July 1. Chris Moss of the Arlington Report has an article at: https://fortworthreport.org/2026/05/08/positions-eliminated-as-arlington-isd-reorganizes-to-address-9m-shortfall/ .
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/ .
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
Gigantic Downtown Deal
On August 25 the Arlington City Council approved a gigantic deal in the consent agenda (with NO discussion). A realtor.com article explains some of the deal at: https://local.newsbreak.com/arlington-tx/4863260899461-trammell-crow-to-build-390-apartments-and-office-space-in-downtown-arlington .
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) = tom.ware
district 5 (central/east) = brittney.garcia-dumas
district 6 (all) = long.pham
district 7 (all) = bowie.hogg
district 8 (all) = jason.shelton
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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