Voters in Fort Worth will be asked to decide on a debt package totaling well over $1 billion in May. The new bond debt is meant to fund city street and infrastructure projects.
Documents released by the city show that the proposed bond package totals more than $845 million in principal, while interest will bring the total to more than $1.3 billion in additional city debt.
The total bond amount is divided between six propositions:
Proposition A: $511,480,700 ($821,207,838 with interest) for improvements to the streets and mobility infrastructure.
Proposition B: $185,140,000 ($297,251,527 with interest) for park, recreation, and open space improvements.
Proposition C: $14,586,000 ($23,418,552 with interest) for public library improvements.
Proposition D: $10,000,000 ($16,055,500 with interest) for affordable housing.
Proposition E: $63,919,300 ($102,625,632 with interest) for public safety improvements.
Proposition F: $59,874,000 ($96,130,701 with interest) for animal care and shelter improvements.
Fort Worth currently has approximately $1.3 billion in existing debt, including interest.
Each bond proposition will feature the following ballot language as required by state law: “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.”
Yet the city argues on its website that an increase in taxes is “not anticipated; specifically, no change in the tax rate should be required due to this bond election.” The city claims this is due to the bond package being structured in a way that works with the existing tax rate.
However, regardless of the tax rate in any given year, local property owners’ tax burden would be increased by the amount of the bonds with interest.
Andrew McVeigh, president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility told Texas Scorecard that Fort Worth’s massive bond package is concerning, as the city admits the propositions will include language indicating that it’s a tax increase but then “immediately try and deflect and claim that they’ve structured the bonds in such a way that they will not increase property taxes.”
“This is a total fabrication, as all bonds are backed by resident’s properties, and always result in more property taxes levied on the backs of hardworking taxpayers,” said McVeigh. “At a time when many Texans are losing their homes or businesses due to skyrocketing property taxes, up $2.7 billion in 2025 alone, Fort Worth’s bond proposals are seriously concerning, especially when considering they are asking taxpayers to pony up more money to support ‘affordable housing’ and ‘animal care.’”
McVeigh said this is one of the multiple reasons why his organization is encouraging the passage of legislation requiring two-thirds voter approval for bonds, which is part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s proposed property tax relief plan.
Fort Worth voters will have the opportunity to approve or reject the bond package on the May 2, 2026 ballot. Early voting begins April 20 and runs through April 28.
