Fort Worth’s $845 million bond is on the ballot now: what early voters should know before May 2
Fort Worth TX – Early voting is open on a six-proposition, $845 million bond package that would fund streets, parks, libraries, housing support and more.
Fort Worth voters are already deciding on the city’s $845 million bond package
Early voting in Fort Worth’s May 2 election is underway, and the biggest item on the ballot is a six-proposition bond package totaling $845 million. For residents, the practical question is not just how large the package is, but what it would pay for: streets and mobility work, parks, library projects, affordable housing support, public safety facilities, emergency communications, and animal shelter improvements.
The early voting window runs through April 28, with Election Day on May 2, according to Tarrant County Elections. The Fort Worth City Secretary says the same election also includes charter amendments and a District 10 special election, but the bond package is the main citywide spending issue most voters will notice.
What is on the ballot
The City of Fort Worth’s 2026 bond program breaks the package into six propositions. The city says the largest share is for transportation and mobility, which is the category most likely to affect daily life through street repairs, congestion relief, and safer travel for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and people walking.
The remaining propositions cover parks, library work, affordable housing support, public safety facilities, emergency communications, and animal shelter improvements. In plain terms, that means the bond is not a single-purpose roads package. It is a broad capital program aimed at infrastructure and public services that residents use every day.
Why the ballot says “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE”
One of the first things voters will see on the sample ballot is the phrase “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE.” That wording can look alarming, but Fort Worth’s bond materials say it is required by state law and is not simply a city choice.
The city says it does not anticipate a tax rate increase from the bond package. That distinction matters. The ballot language is a legal requirement for bond elections, but Fort Worth’s position is that the package is not expected to raise the tax rate.
For residents trying to read the ballot in plain English, the key point is this: the state-mandated wording signals that bonds are being proposed, but it does not by itself tell voters that their tax bill will rise because of this package.
What residents would get if it passes
The most immediate impact would likely be on streets and mobility projects. Those are the kinds of improvements that can affect commute times, neighborhood access, freight movement, and the day-to-day condition of roads that residents and local businesses rely on.
Parks and library projects are also part of the package, which could matter for families looking for better public spaces, youth programming, and neighborhood services. Affordable housing support is another major piece, reflecting the pressure many renters and homeowners feel as housing costs and availability remain central local issues.
Public safety facilities and emergency communications would address more behind-the-scenes needs, but they still shape response times, equipment readiness, and the city’s ability to keep services running during emergencies. Animal shelter improvements may be a smaller line item than roads, but they affect intake capacity, adoption services, and how the city handles animal care needs across Fort Worth.
Why this election matters now
This is the kind of ballot item that can be easy to overlook if voters focus only on the headline number. But the practical effect of a bond election is often felt in the background of everyday life: fewer rough streets, better park access, more usable public buildings, and city systems that work a little more smoothly.
For commuters, the transportation share is likely the biggest reason to pay attention. For parents and neighborhood residents, the park, library, housing, and public safety categories may be more relevant. For business owners, infrastructure and mobility can shape customer access and delivery routes.
Fort Worth voters do not have to wait until May 2 to make a decision. Early voting is open now, and the bond package is already on the ballot.
Sources
- City of Fort Worth 2026 Bond Program page
- City of Fort Worth 2026 bond and charter sample ballot
- Tarrant County Elections early voting schedule for May 2, 2026
- Fort Worth City Secretary 2026 election voting dates and notices
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram explainer on the bond and charter election
- CBS Texas interview on Fort Worth’s bond election
