2026 Bond Program

Community engagement events are scheduled in March-April 2026. These will provide information about items that will appear on the Bond & Charter Election ballots.

• March 25, 6pm, City Hall: Event Details
• March 30, 6pm, Betsy Price Community Center: Event Details
• April 2, 6pm, Southwest Community Center: Event Details
• April 11, 10:30am, Handley Meadowbrook Community Center: Event Details
• April 13, 6pm, Diamond Hill Jarvis Community Center: Event Details
• April 16, 6pm, R.D. Evans Community Center: Event Details
• April 18, 10:30am, Worth Heights Community Center: Event Details 

Community Engagement events were held in all Council Districts during October and November 2025. City staff presented the proposed Bond Program and heard feedback from residents. Recordings of these events can be viewed on the City of Fort Worth YouTube channel: Bond Playlist 

A bond election is a way for cities to fund larger, long-lasting infrastructure and facilities projects like streets, parks, community centers, libraries and fire stations. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, Fort Worth would use these bonds to fund infrastructure, public safety, and community projects identified in the bond program. 

The size of the bond package is structured to work within the existing City property tax rate. If approved, the bonds are expected to be fully repaid without increasing the City property tax rate. 

City staff uses information from a variety of sources — including data, subject matter expert insights and public feedback — to develop a preliminary draft list of bond projects that are generally prioritized according to need and that can be funded with projected resources. 

State law now requires that all bond propositions begin with the phrase “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE.” Fort Worth structured the bond program so a tax increase is not anticipated; specifically, no change in the tax rate should be required due to this bond election.

No, approving a bond does not automatically raise taxes. When voters approve a bond, they authorize the City to issue debt for projects.

The goals of the bond program are to:

• Fund infrastructure.

• Provide mobility and City services to areas experiencing growth.

•  Expand active transportation and recreational corridors.

•  Leverage funding partnership opportunities and allow for flexibility.

•  Ensure fiscal responsibility and balance in addressing competing needs.

Registered voters will be able to vote for or against six bond propositions totaling $845 million.

The proposed 2026 bond program is $845 million. For comparison, voters approved a $400 million bond program in 2018 and a $560 million bond program in 2022. Each bond program builds on previous investments to help address the City’s growth, maintain infrastructure and improve services for residents as Fort Worth continues to grow.

Proposition A is the Streets and Mobility portion of the bond program, totaling $511.5 million (60.9% of the bond). These projects are spread across the city and include expanding and rebuilding roadways; upgrading streetlights, traffic signals and intersections; and improving bridge safety and railroad crossings. It would also fund Vision Zero projects, aimed at preventing roadway fatalities and serious injuries.

Proposition B is the Park, Recreation and Open Space portion of the bond program, totaling $185.1 million (22% of the bond). These projects aim to increase recreational opportunities, preserve natural spaces and build new community amenities for residents and visitors. If approved, funding would support upgrades to metropolitan and community parks, rebuild the Atatiana Carr Jefferson Community Center at Hillside, conserve open space land, improve aquatic centers and fund infrastructure and facility upgrades at destinations like the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Fort Worth Water Gardens and the Fort Worth Zoo.

Proposition C is the Public Library portion of the bond program, totaling $14.6 million (1.7% of the bond). It would fund improvements to the City’s library system, including the relocation of the Fort Worth History Center and remodel to the Southwest Regional Library and Diamond Hill/Jarvis Library. These projects aim to modernize facilities, improve access to local history resources and enhance library spaces for community learning, research and programs.

Proposition D is the Affordable Housing portion of the bond program, totaling $10 million (1.18% of the bond). It would support the construction and rehabilitation of affordable owner-occupied and rental housing. Potential uses include purchasing vacant properties and paying toward infrastructure or site preparation to prepare the land for housing to be developed, providing assistance with repairs or rehabilitation and making loans or grants toward affordable housing.

Proposition E is the Public Safety portion of the bond program, totaling $63.9 million (7.6% of the bond). It would fund public safety infrastructure, including building a new Fire Station 46 in southwest Fort Worth, rebuilding Fire Station 40 in northwest Fort Worth and constructing a new 911 call center to improve emergency response and call handling. These projects aim to support firefighters and emergency dispatchers while helping ensure faster, more reliable emergency services for residents as the City continues to grow.

Proposition F is the Animal Shelter portion of the bond program, totaling $59.8 million (7.1% of the bond). It would fund construction of a new animal shelter with expanded space and improved facilities. The new shelter is intended to replace the current Chuck & Brenda Silcox Animal Care & Control Center, allowing the City to increase shelter capacity and improve adoption, medical and animal services for the community.