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City councilmembers on Tuesday got an early look at a proposed 2026 bond program with congestion mitigation, economic development, leveraging funding opportunities and capital replacement initially becoming the focus.
On the table: City staff is considering a $800 million bond program, but requests for funding from departments far exceed that amount.
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.
An early and evolving list of proposed projects for the 2026 bond program has been created by City staff for the purpose of gaining City Council input.
The list shows the bulk of bond funds going toward streets and mobility infrastructure improvements (59.6% of the $800 million total), followed by parks and open space improvements (23.1%). Other proposals include public safety improvements, primarily for the Fire Department and 911, 8%; animal shelter facility improvements, 7.5%; and public library improvements, 1.8%.
“In addition to this initial list of proposed projects that City staff has offered based on the available funding constraints, we know residents have interest in numerous other projects,” City Manager Jay Chapa said. “So besides the current recommended list, there is an additional menu of options that were just below the funding line that will be put forward for public comment. That list of projects totals $125 million.”
$13.7 million for the expansion projects at Southwest Library, East Berry Library and Diamond Hill Library.
Public art: $300,000
Community engagement meetings will be held across the city starting this spring, and there will be online engagement tools available. Residents will be able to comment on the proposed projects as discussions progress.
This fall, City staff will finalize the project list based on public input. Final adjustments will be made to project costs, and the City Council will approve the list.
In January 2026, City Council will vote on calling the bond election. A public education meeting will be conducted in every council district ahead of the May 2026 bond election.