City proposes to decide on tax changes, alcohol sales and capital improvements around DFW – NBC DFW

On Nov. 5, voters in 12 North Texas cities will be asked to weigh more than a dozen bond proposals ranging from city charter changes, sales and use taxes to hundreds of millions in capital improvement projects.

Below is a brief description of the bond proposals and links to city and county web pages for more details when available.

Voters considering the following proposals will be asked whether they are for or against each.

OFFERS BALCH SPRINGS

Balch Springs will ask voters to consider 11 amendments to the city’s local government charter in the Nov. 5 election. 11 amendments are discussed in more detail here.

OFFERS DALLAS

Dallas voters are being asked to consider 18 amendments to the city’s charter, including three that could dramatically change how city government operates. Another proposal would make possession of a small amount of marijuana a low-level priority for police. All proposals are discussed in more detail here.

HUTCHINS’ PROPOSAL

Statement A — Library and recreation center
Issuing $28,000,000 in general obligation bonds for recreational and library purposes relating to a single building and all necessary matters or incidents connected therewith, and levying taxes sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the bonds.

Hutchins is asking voters to approve $28 million in bonds to build one building to house a recreation center and library. The facility will span 37,250 square feet, with 6,000 square feet dedicated to the library. The city said the recreation center will include “adult and youth basketball courts, cardio and weight equipment, workout areas, multi-purpose studios for activities such as karate, dance, yoga and performing arts, as well as a transformational space for wellness programs.” The center will also include a playroom for teenagers and an indoor walking track.” Hutchins said there will be no tax increase for residents because the city has experienced an ad valorem increase in property values ​​of $896,290,266 since 2021.

IRVING’S PROPOSAL

Statement A — Collective Bargaining for Irving Firefighters
Enact a state law applicable to firefighters that establishes collective bargaining if a majority of affected employees favor representation by an employee association, maintains the ban on strikes and lockouts, and provides penalties for strikes and lockouts.

The Irving Fire Department has created a webpage about collective bargaining and why it supports Prop. A.

JOHNSON COUNTY BOND PROPOSAL

Statement A — Transport guarantee
The issuance of $60,000,000 general obligation bonds for roads and bridges and the levying of taxes sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the bonds.

Johnson County is asking voters to approve a $60 million transportation bond that will pay for 16 improvement projects in Burleson, Joshua, Cleburne, Keene and Alvarado. If approved, the bond would be funded by a $0.0099 increase in the I&S tax rate at an average annual cost of less than $25 to homeowners based on an average taxable home value of $251,707. Bond supporters said that the package “aims to improve safety and mobility for county residents.” See more about the package and 16 projects here.

JOSEPHINE OFFERS

Statement A — End the JCDC tax and increase the city sales tax
Removal of the current one-half percent of sales to the Josephine Community Development Corporation (Type B).
tax; and the adoption of a local sales and use tax in the city of Josephine, Texas at the rate of one and a half percent. This will not change the overall sales tax rate.

Statement B — Create JMDD
Authorizing the creation of the Josephine Municipal Development District and the imposition of a one-half percent sales and use tax to finance development projects that benefit the district.

In filings supporting the proposal, Josephine is asking voters to approve eliminating the 0.5 percent JCDC sales tax and increasing the city’s current 1 percent sales and use tax to 1.5 percent. The city said there would be no change in the general tax rate, and the sales tax generated would be used to expand city services and improve infrastructure, which the city said has been strained by population growth. For Prop. City B wants to create a municipal development district and includes a 0.5% sales tax to fund development projects.

MANSFIELD’S PROPOSAL

Statement A – Sale of alcohol
The legal sale of all alcoholic beverages for off-site consumption only.

MACKINNY’S OFFERS

Voters in McKinney are considering four amendments to the city charter, including adjusting compensation for the mayor and city council members and extending terms. The city is also asking voters to approve editing the charter for grammar and spelling errors and removing outdated policies and procedures. All of McKinney’s proposals are discussed in more detail here.

VILLA OFFER

Statement A — Tax changes
The reduction of the current sales and use tax from one-half percent (0.5%) allocated to the Ovilla Type B Economic Development Corporation from one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) to one-quarter of one percent (0.25 %) and adopting a local sales and use tax increase in the City of Ovilla, Texas from one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) to one-half percent (0.5%) to provide revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets.

SHADY SHORES PROPOSAL

Statement A — Sales and use tax
A proposal to repeal the Shady Shores local sales and use tax of one percent and adopt a local Shady Shores sales and use tax of one percent and adopt a local sales and use tax dedicated to the general maintenance of the streets at a percentage of one percent.

UNIVERSITY HILLS MMD OFFER

Statement A – Creation of MMD
The confirmation of the creation of a municipal government district of University Hills.

In a separate race, voters elect MMD directors if Prop. A passed.

WESTON’S PROPOSAL

Statement A — Sales and use tax
The adoption of a local sales and use tax in the City of Weston at the rate of two percent (2%).