2026 Dallas suburban bond elections: We recommend

Editorial Staff/The Dallas Morning News

Taking on debt is an important way cities and school districts use today’s less expensive dollars to pay for long-term capital projects that community members want: school campuses, road maintenance, library renovations and more. 

Wise use of capital dollars spreads costs over time for necessary construction and maintenance versus paying out of pocket now. In an ideal situation, a well-planned bond proposal won’t lead to a tax increase. In the midst of ongoing affordability pressures, and given the high property tax bills Texans are struggling with, local officials need to work hard to keep costs down for their residents. 

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The cities of Carrollton and Richardson, as well as Lancaster ISD, are among those in North Texas holding bond referendums this May. We make our recommendation in each below.  

City of Richardson — $223.4 million

The city of Richardson is asking voters for permission to borrow $223.4 million. Nearly 60% of that money would go into Proposition A for streets. Projects include improvements to residential streets, collector streets, alleys and traffic signals under this proposition totaling about $132 million.

Proposition B includes some $36 million for public buildings, including a storage building behind Fire Station 5, an addition to Fire Station 6 and design and construction for a future Fire Station 7.

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Proposition C is all about parks and recreation: about $22 million for projects related to aquatic facilities, spraygrounds, playgrounds and a pedestrian bridge at Breckinridge Park. Proposition D would put about $16.5 million toward sidewalk improvements and Proposition E includes about the same amount for drainage improvements.

As they should, these bond propositions focus squarely on basic public infrastructure Richardson needs in order to serve residents well. This bond is not expected to cause a tax rate increase. Voters should approve all five propositions. 

Lancaster ISD — $376 million

Lancaster ISD officials are asking for $376 million. There is no expected tax rate increase. 

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Roughly 86% of that money would go into Proposition A, encompassing many key upgrades across the district. This proposition would pay for projects at all elementary campuses, including improvements to climate control, roofing, restrooms, playgrounds and security.

Proposition A would also pay for a new Career and Technical Education Center, upgrades at middle and high school facilities, land acquisition for future schools, deferred maintenance and other projects.

Proposition B, the smallest, includes about $3.5 million for instructional technology.

Proposition C would put about $35 million toward modernizing a 20-year-old indoor practice facility. Proposition D would allocate about $15 million to stadium facilities. That would cover upgrades at Beverly D. Humphrey Tiger Stadium and Old Tiger Stadium, including improvements to track and turf, restrooms and security.

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Propositions A and B cover important projects, and voters should approve them. Propositions C and D cover sports-related items that aren’t strictly necessary. But as there’s no anticipated tax rate increase, voters don’t need to have serious reservations about approving them, especially if there’s a strong desire to invest in students’ sports facilities. 

City of Carrollton — $235 million

This city northwest of Dallas has asked voters to bless $235 million in bond spending spread across five propositions. Based on current estimates, Carrollton doesn’t expect these bonds to cause the tax rate to rise. 

The largest portion is street improvements, representing about 70% of the total bond dollars. These dollars would be invested in streetlights, intersections, traffic signals and projects at Walnut Plaza, Randolph Street, Hebron Parkway and many others.

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Proposition B would allocate about $32.3 million to public safety facilities, including improvements at two fire stations and the police department fitness and training building. Parks and Recreation would get about $26.5 million, covering projects such as a senior center expansion, Elm Fork Nature Preserve improvements, a recreation center expansion and other projects. 

Proposition D would put about $7.8 million toward municipal court facilities improvements and Proposition E includes about $3.7 million for library facilities.

Carrollton’s bond package is all about the basics. Cities have to get these things right in order to serve long-time residents and also compete in an environment where all the North Texas suburbs are looking to draw in new people. Voters should approve all five propositions.