Arlington residents will vote this May on a proposed $200.8 million bond program that would provide funding for streets and sidewalks, parks, police and fire stations, and other public facilities.
After months of public input, the Arlington City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved placing the bond program on the May 3, 2025, ballot.
The City Council's decision to present a new bond package to voters was made following a series of meetings, tours, and extensive study by the 19-member Citizens Bond Committee. This committee, tasked with assessing the City's capital needs, provided a recommended list of projects to the City Council in October.
Early voting for the May 3 election will be held April 22-29. Click here to visit the 2025 Bond Election webpage.
What to Know About Bonds
If approved by voters, the City would issue the bonds to fund these proposed improvements over a period of years. Arlington’s current plan of financing does not anticipate an increase in the City’s overall property tax rate with the issuance of bonds for the proposed 2025 Bond Program.
The City’s financial policies with regards to debt follow these three debt ratios:
Property tax supported debt per capita. This debt limit is adjusted annually for inflation and is currently $1,465 per person. The actual debt per capita was $1,314 as of Sept. 30, 2024, which was the end of Fiscal Year 2024.
Total debt obligations are not to exceed 2% of the City’s property tax (ad valorem) base. The actual debt obligation as a percentage of the City’s property tax base was 1.31% at the end of FY24.
Debt expense, which are the principal and interest payments, are not to exceed 20% of the City’s total expenses, which are debt expenses plus general fund expenses. The actual debt expense was 16.83% of the City’s total expense at the end of FY24.
The City considers a variety of factors to determine the schedule for issuing bonds to pay for capital improvements. These factors include the current needs of the City, prevailing market conditions, assessed values of property in the City, and the short-term and long-term interest rates.
Arlington’s credit ratings are AAA by Standard & Poor’s, Aa1 by Moody’s Investor Services, and AA+ by Fitch IBCA. Credit ratings by these three main independent rating agencies help determine the interest rates that the City will receive on its debt. Higher credit ratings generally lead to lower interest rates.
Click here to visit the City of Arlington’s Finance webpage.
Proposition A – Street Improvements ($136,995,000)
South Collins Street (South Webb Ferrell Road to Debbie Lane): $27,825,000
This funding would allow for the right-of-way acquisition and widening of South Collins from South Webb Ferrell to Debbie Lane from two lanes to four lanes along with the installation of curbs, gutters, drainage, streetlights and sidewalks.
Randol Mill Road (Cooper Street to Fielder Road): $54,755,000
This funding would allow for the design, right-of-way acquisition and reconstruction of Randol Mill Road between Cooper Street and Fielder Road, along with installation of curbs, gutters, underground and floodplain drainage, streetlights, and sidewalks.
Pleasant Ridge Road (Plumwood to Enchanted Bay) $12,600,000
This funding would allow for the right-of-way acquisition, and construction of Pleasant Ridge Road from Plumwood to Enchanted Bay the installation of curbs, gutters, underground drainage, streetlights, and a sidewalk. The design for this project was authorized in the 2014 Bond Election and is nearly complete.
Residential Rebuild Program ($10 million)
This funding would allow for the design and reconstruction of residential streets in multiple areas of the City that have an overall condition index rating of 20 or below (out of 100) and are not funded by the sales tax for street maintenance.
Street Reclamation ($16,475,000)
This funding would allow for the reclamation of residential streets in multiple areas of the City that have an overall condition index rating between 30-50 (out of 100). These funds will be used to expand the existing street reclamation program that is currently funded by the street maintenance sales tax.
Intersection Improvements ($5,000,000)
This funding would allow for the design and reconfiguration of intersections at multiple areas of the City to address issues related to delay and safety at selected intersections. Improvements could include the addition of turn lanes or new traffic control.
Sidewalk Program ($2,750,000)
This funding would allow for the design and reconstruction of existing sidewalks that are in a condition that cannot be repaired with funds allocated in the current City budget, and the construction of new sidewalks and ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
Signal/Intelligent Transportation System Program ($4,500,000)
This funding would allow for construction of traffic signals and other ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) devices such as electronic message boards and traffic management cameras, including Internally Lighted Street Name (ILSN) signs.
Grant Match Funding Program ($1,400,000)
This funding would allow for match funding for state and federal grants.
Construction Materials Testing Program ($1,000,000)
This funding would allow for the testing of materials and methods during roadway construction.
Irrigation Repair Program ($270,000)
This funding would allow for the relocation or repair of irrigation systems that conflict with roadway construction.
Surveying Program ($300,000)
This funding would allow for required city surveying land related to capital projects.
ADA Review and Inspection Services Program ($120,000)
This funding would allow for required third-party review and inspections of capital projects for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Proposition B – Public Safety ($48,930,000)
Public Safety Training Facility Design ($5,700,000)
This funding would allow for the conceptual design of a joint Public Safety Training Facility for Police and Fire staff.
Fire Station No. 6 Rebuild ($13,500,000)
This funding would allow for the design, demolition, and reconstruction of Fire Station #6.
Fire Equipment Replacements ($15,800,000)
This funding would allow for the procurement of six fire engines, two ladder trucks, one aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle (ARFF), and one brush truck for the Fire Department.
Dispatch Radio Replacements ($8,200,000)
This funding would allow for replacement of obsolete dispatch radios for the Fire Department and a portion of the Police Department.
Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center Improvements ($4,200,000)
This funding would allow for improvements at the Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center, including plumbing fixtures, roof drains/downspouts, variable air volume heating, electrical panel/breaker replacement, fire alarm system, emergency lighting, detention equipment, and security cameras.
East Police Substation Improvements ($1,530,000)
This funding would allow for improvements at the East Police Substation, including replacing the windows, exterior doors, roof, water heater, gas piping, HVAC, lighting, fire alarm system.
Proposition C – Parks & Recreation ($9,345,000)
Dottie Lynn Recreation Center Improvements ($4,545,000)
This funding would allow for improvements at Dottie Lynn Recreation Center, including replacing windows, roof, elevator, water heater, sanitary waste piping, HVAC, electrical panel/wiring, lighting, fire alarm system, and exterior lighting (LED).
River Legacy Nature Center Improvements ($2,800,000)
This funding would allow for improvements at River Legacy Nature Center including foundation repair, structural beams repair, exterior animal storage rehab, exterior siding, exterior doors, west window wall, roof covering, skylights, water heaters, air handling units, fluorescent lighting replacements, and fire alarm and emergency exit light replacement.
Park Infrastructure Improvements ($2,000,000)
This funding would allow for playgrounds, scoreboards, pavilions, bathrooms, exercise equipment, general furnishings, and LED light conversion at ballfields in multiple parks in the City.
Proposition D – Downtown Administrative Buildings ($3,105,000)
City Hall Major Systems Replacements ($3,105,000)
This funding would allow for improvements at City Hall, including the replacement of HVAC pumps, hydronic radiators and piping, air handling units, variable air volume electric heating with ducting, fire alarm system, and emergency lighting.
Proposition E – Libraries ($2,425,000)
Ron Wright Lake Arlington Library Improvements ($1,575,000)
This funding would allow for improvements at Ron Wright Lake Arlington Branch Library, including foundation, windows/doors, roof, plumbing, HVAC, electrical wiring, lighting, fire alarm system, security system, parking lots, walkways, and exterior lighting.
Southeast Library Improvements ($420,000)
This funding would allow for improvements at Southeast Branch Library, including sanitary sewer/waste pipe system, HVAC, fire alarm system, and security system.
Southwest Library Improvements ($130,000)
This funding would allow for improvements at Southwest Branch Library, including the foundation, sump pump, and security system.
Woodland West Library Improvements ($300,000)
This funding would allow for improvements at Woodland West Branch Library, including the exterior doors, gas pipes, lighting, and emergency lighting.
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