Fort Worth's $845 Million Bond Package Leads Early Voting, All Six Propositions Poised to Pass

Context Early voting ran from April 20 to April 28, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. In a bond election each proposition appears separately on the ballot; if approved, the city must spend the allocated amount on the specific projects listed. Fort Worth would issue general‑obligation bonds backed by its property‑tax revenue to raise the $845 million.

Key Facts Proposition A allocates $511,480,700 for streets and mobility improvements, the largest share. Proposition B provides $185,140,000 for park, recreation and open‑space upgrades.

Proposition C earmarks $14,586,000 for library enhancements. Proposition D sets aside $10,000,000 for affordable housing.

Proposition E reserves $63,919,300 for police, fire and emergency communications, and Proposition F designates $59,874,000 for animal‑care and shelter facilities.

Early results show a majority of voters supported the overall package and all six propositions are currently ahead of the threshold needed to pass.

What It Means Issuing $845 million in general‑obligation debt will increase the city’s annual debt service; assuming a 3.5 % interest rate over a 20‑year term, the yearly cost is roughly $59 million. General‑obligation bonds are backed by the city’s full faith and credit, meaning repayment comes from general tax revenues rather than a specific project’s income.

Fort Worth’s GO bonds currently hold an AA‑rating from S&P, which helps keep interest rates low. That expense is typically covered by a modest rise in the property‑tax levy, which homeowners see as a small increase on their tax bills.

Municipal‑bond investors reacted positively: the iShares National Muni Bond ETF (MUB) rose 0.3 % to $85.20, giving it a market‑capitalization of about $4.2 billion, while the Texas municipal‑bond yield benchmark sits near 2.9 %, slightly below the national average of 3.1 %. The bond package therefore signals steady demand for Texas‑issued debt and could lower borrowing costs for future projects.

Watch for the final canvass results later tonight and the city’s announced timetable for selling the new bonds.