What is a street maintenance sales tax?

The Texas Tax code authorizes all cities to establish a special sales tax for the repair and maintenance of existing city streets. Establishment, or continuation, of the tax must be approved by a city’s voters. Currently, a one quarter-cent sales tax is collected from all sales transactions occurring within the City of Arlington that are subject to sales tax.

What is its purpose?

The funds collected provide cost-effective rehabilitation and preventive maintenance of public streets within the city limits of Arlington. The goal is to improve mobility and maintain roadways to prevent deterioration and costly rebuilds.

How long has Arlington been collecting a sales tax for street maintenance?

Arlington voters initially approved the street maintenance sales tax in September 2002. Voters reauthorized a sales tax in 2006, 2010, 2014, and most recently in May 2018. Prior to the existence of the street maintenance sales tax, a fee for street maintenance was collected through water utility bills.

How much has been collected so far?

Approximately $196 million has been collected since collection of the street maintenance tax began in January 2003.

How has the money been spent?

Texas Tax Code limits the use of the funds collected to the maintenance or repair of municipal streets and sidewalks in existence on the day of the election to adopt or reauthorize the tax. Funds collected may not be used to build new roads. Maintenance programs funded by the street maintenance sales tax include:

Asphalt Reclamation:  Removal and pulverizing of existing asphalt, mixing pulverized material with cement and lime to increase the strength of the asphalt and underlying sub-base, pouring and shaping mixture in a new base, and placing and compacting 6-10 inches of new asphalt.

Crack Seal:  Filling cracks in the road surface with rubberized crack sealant to prevent moisture penetrating the sub-grade and causing pavement failure.

Concrete Panel Replacement:  Identification and replacement of failed sections of concrete road panels on major thoroughfare and collector streets. 

Miscellaneous Concrete and Handicap Ramps:  Removal and replacement of curb, gutter, sidewalks, and driveway approaches in advance of the asphalt reclamation process. This program also includes replacement of adjacent sidewalks to ensure proper grade and installation of compliant ramps as per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Sidewalk Replacement:  Permanent repair of locations throughout the city that have been temporarily patched with asphalt to eliminate tripping hazards. 

How do I find out if my street is on the schedule for preventative maintenance or repair?

View the list of locations to be completed under the 2022 Reclamation Program and 2022 Mill and Overlay Program.

When will the street maintenance sales tax expire?

Unless reauthorized by voters in a subsequent “reauthorization election”, the tax will expire December 31, 2026.