Proposed 2026 bond program discussion continues

City councilmembers on Tuesday gave feedback on a proposed 2026 bond program with a heavy emphasis on improving transportation infrastructure. Staff presented a summary of feedback gathered during the recent community engagement phase and outlined the upcoming schedule of meetings for Council to formally call the Bond election.

Over the last year, City staff has developed an $840 million bond program for voter approval in May. Fort Worth is on a four-year cycle for bond programs, with the most recent being approved by voters in 2022. Fort Worth continues its practice of developing the 2026 bond program with no property tax increase.

The proposed list of propositions shows the bulk of bond funds going toward streets and mobility infrastructure improvements (60.9% of the $840 million total), followed by parks and open space improvements (22%). Other proposals include public safety improvements, primarily for the Fire Department and 911 (7.6%); animal shelter facility improvements (7.1%); public library improvements (1.7%); and affordable housing (0.6%).

Several councilmembers suggested that more money be put toward the affordable housing proposition, perhaps increasing the total by $5 million to $10 million. City staff is investigating whether additional bond capacity exists to allow more money to be put toward the housing proposition. If that is not possible, funds would need to be taken from other propositions and put toward housing.

Community engagement

A robust community engagement program has allowed residents to provide feedback on bond proposals. Engagement methods included online webpages, in-person and online meetings in every council district, comments submitted to staff and an interactive budget tool called BalancingAct that allows residents to create their own custom bond program.

Some engagement metrics:

18,220 website views across several platforms.

260 attendees at 11 council district meetings.

1,109 YouTube views; 13,758 YouTube impressions.

177 BalancingAct submissions.

329 submitted comments.

View the 2026 Bond Program Feedback Dashboard.

What happens next?

City staff will provide updated information to Council at a work session on Jan. 27.

City Council may vote to order a bond election on Feb. 10.

Public education meetings will take place March 23-April 17. These will focus on the propositions that will appear on the ballot.

The bond election would be held on Saturday, May 2, with early voting available from April 20-28. April 2 will be the last day to register to vote in the election.

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