Grand Prairie staff outline bond outreach, show voter materials ahead of May election
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Summary
City staff presented a bond outreach update and a video explaining three bond propositions on the May 2 ballot — streets ($209.5M), public safety ($78.5M) and parks ($39M) — and described multilingual outreach, 31 scheduled meetings and an online tax-impact calculator.
City staff on Wednesday gave Grand Prairie residents an overview of outreach ahead of the May 2 general obligation bond election, including a city video that breaks down three separate propositions voters will decide.
Management Services Director Thao Bo told the council staff would provide an outreach update at every council meeting until the election and described early results: 85 community groups contacted, 24 requests for in-person presentations, two city-hosted information sessions already held, and 31 total meetings scheduled (seven completed). “Our goal is to direct residents to the best sources for details and questions, including the Bond website, the FAQ, and upcoming informational sessions,” Bo said.
A city video shown to council explains the three propositions: Proposition A would authorize $209.5 million for nonresidential street improvements; Proposition B would authorize $78.5 million for public safety projects targeting the southern part of the city and upgrades to existing public-safety assets; and Proposition C would authorize $39 million for parks and recreation projects, including a multipurpose center, a pickleball complex, public art and a botanical garden. The video included estimated tax impacts for a homeowner with an appraised value of $100,000: $24.99 annually for Proposition A, $9.36 for Proposition B and $4.65 for Proposition C.
Claudia Garibay, director of marketing and communications, said the outreach uses print, digital and grassroots channels: a dedicated bond web page, GPTV video posts, social media, 2,000 postcards, 100 yard signs, free digital billboards provided by Clearwater, and three mailers planned for March and April. “We work with legal to ensure that we remain factual,” Garibay said, noting the bond web page had 512 views since launch and that materials are available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Council members asked staff to increase sessions north of State Highway 30 and to include neighborhood locations such as Nottingham and Saddle Hills; staff said sessions scheduled in Spanish will include translation and that the website includes a tax-impact calculator for residents who want to estimate their personal effect. Thao Bo added staff will respond to frequently asked questions on the bond FAQ and distribute materials to libraries, recreation centers and other civic locations.
The presentation was informational only; the council previously approved placing the propositions on the ballot. Residents can find details at gptx.org/bondelection2026 and at upcoming city information sessions.
