What's on the Dallas bond election ballot
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
You could see more of this if a bond proposition passes. Photo: Kathy Tran/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Dallas residents are getting political texts and phone calls urging them to vote for the city's $1.25 billion bond proposal in May, when turnout is typically low.
Why it matters: Dallas, like many Texas cities, relies on voter-approved bonds to fix aging infrastructure like roads.
- A political action committee has spent almost $80,000 to encourage residents to approve the 10 bond propositions to invest "in our city's basics."
Between the lines: Some council members had argued setting the May election felt rushed and holding the vote in November would get more people to the polls.
The big picture: Voters must approve all 10 propositions for the full $1.25 billion in bond money to be distributed.
- Nearly half of the money — $516.5 million in Proposition A — would fund repairs to streets, sidewalks, bikeways and other transportation projects.
- The rest — spread across nine other propositions — would create new parks, build a new police training academy, develop affordable housing, fix city libraries and update aging arts facilities.
How it works: City leaders plan to issue bonds in time for construction to begin on some projects in the 2024-25 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.
- The total allocation for each proposition was finalized in February, but specific projects and their costs may change.
Between the lines: Dallas residents are likely to see street resurfacing first. Other proposals, such as building affordable housing, will take longer to buy land, design plans and then begin construction.
Propositions: Proposition B — $343.5 million for parks and recreation.
- Proposition C — $52.1 million for expanding flood protection.
- Proposition D — $43.5 million for city libraries.
- Proposition E — $75.2 million for performing arts.
- Proposition F — $95 million for public safety, includes $50 million for a new police training academy at UNT-Dallas.
- Proposition G — $73.8 million for economic development, includes $36.6 million to support housing projects.
- Proposition H — $26.4 million for affordable housing projects.
- Proposition I — $19 million for homelessness, includes $6.7 for permanent supportive housing.
- Proposition J — $5 million for IT facilities.
What's next: Early voting begins April 22. Election day is May 4.