Texas City Approves Sales-Tax Increase to Fund Local Projects

A street in downtown Arlington, Texas. (Credit: India Edwards)

(ARLINGTON, TX) – The city of Arlington in Texas approved an additional quarter-cent city sales and use tax to fund local development projects, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The vote passed with overwhelming support with 70,973 in favor and 57,645 against.

Also, the proposal to raise property taxes for residents in the Arlington school district was also approved, 57,732 votes in favor of the raise and 57,588 against.

The city’s sales-tax increase will bring the new rate to 8.25%.

Michael Jacobson, CEO and president of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, has long called on the state to raise local sales taxes. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jacobson believes the sales tax and property tax increase will help bolster teachers’ salaries and ensure students graduating from local high schools or colleges have career prospects in the city. “I think the two, in that regard, are sort of pursuing a similar path, and that’s about creating a future for everybody that lives in Arlington and making sure that we have that bright future,” Jacobson said.

The proposed quarter-cent sales and use tax would be used to fund an Arlington Economic Development Corporation, to undertake projects such as the development of manufacturing and industrial facilities, research and development facilities, and military facilities and transportation facilities (including airports, hangars, railports, and airport maintenance). 

The additional sales tax would also help economic growth, improve infrastructure, and help turn Arlington into a major activity hub, according to City Manager Trey Yelverton.

The Arlington City Council formed the Arlington Economic Development Corporation in 2015. The Arlington Economic Development Corporation has remained dormant without dedicated funding. State law requires that all programs and expenditures of the corporation be approved by the Arlington City Council.