KnowYard News
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Keeping DFW informed and accountable.
Texas property tax reform: What's on the table and what it means for DFW
Texas legislators keep debating property tax reform. Here's what DFW homeowners need to know.
- Texas has no state income tax. Property taxes fund local government, schools, and services.
- Average effective rate in DFW: ~2.0-2.2%. Source: Texas Comptroller.
- On a $400K home: $8,000-8,800/year.
DFW water supply: Are we running out?
With DFW adding 200+ people per day, water supply is a real long-term concern.
- DFW draws from multiple reservoirs: Lake Lewisville, Grapevine Lake, Lake Lavon, Lake Ray Hubbard, Richland-Chambers, and others.
- Major providers: Dallas Water Utilities, Fort Worth Water, North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD).
- Source: twdb.texas.gov (Texas Water Development Board)
DFW voter guide: How to navigate local elections
National elections get all the attention but local elections have 10x more impact on your daily life.
- Texas voter registration: votetexas.gov
- Deadline: 30 days before an election
- You need: Texas driver's license or state ID, SSN last 4, and a Texas address
Zoning debates in DFW: Why your neighborhood might change
Zoning determines what gets built where. DFW is having major zoning fights right now.
- The "Forward Dallas" comprehensive plan is updating zoning citywide for the first time in decades. Source: dallascityhall.com/forwarddallas
- Key proposal: allowing more multi-family housing in traditionally single-family areas
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) — backyard apartments — approved in more areas
School board elections in DFW: Why they matter more than you think
School boards control curriculum, budgets, hiring, and bond packages. They affect your kids daily. Here's why you should pay attention.
- Set tax rates (within state limits)
- Approve budgets ($1B+ for large districts like Dallas ISD, Frisco ISD)
- Hire/fire superintendents
Dallas vs Fort Worth city council: What local government is actually doing
Most DFW residents can name their US senator but not their city council member. Here's what local government is working on.
- Housing affordability — bond package includes $200M+ for affordable housing. Source: dallascityhall.com
- Infrastructure — road repairs, bridge maintenance, drainage improvements
- Public safety — police staffing still below target (DPD has 3,000+ officers, needs 4,000+). Source: Dallas Morning News
DART expansion debate: Why DFW can't agree on public transit
DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) has been expanding — slowly — but the politics around it are complicated.
- 93 miles of light rail (largest in the US by mileage). Source: dart.org
- 4 rail lines: Red, Blue, Green, Orange
- Bus network across service area
How to protest your DFW property tax appraisal: Step-by-step guide
Your appraisal notice just arrived and the value jumped 15%. Don't just accept it. Protest.
- You must file by May 15 or within 30 days of receiving your notice, whichever is later.
- File online at your county appraisal district:
- Dallas: dallascad.org
DFW property tax breakdown 2026: Where your money actually goes
Property taxes in DFW are high because Texas has no state income tax. Here's exactly where the money goes.
- Your property is appraised annually by your county appraisal district.
- Dallas County: Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD). Source: dallascad.org
- Tarrant County: Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD). Source: tad.org
Texas property tax reform: What's on the table and what it means for DFW
Texas legislators keep debating property tax reform. Here's what DFW homeowners need to know.
- Texas has no state income tax. Property taxes fund local government, schools, and services.
- Average effective rate in DFW: ~2.0-2.2%. Source: Texas Comptroller.
- On a $400K home: $8,000-8,800/year.
DFW water supply: Are we running out?
With DFW adding 200+ people per day, water supply is a real long-term concern.
- DFW draws from multiple reservoirs: Lake Lewisville, Grapevine Lake, Lake Lavon, Lake Ray Hubbard, Richland-Chambers, and others.
- Major providers: Dallas Water Utilities, Fort Worth Water, North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD).
- Source: twdb.texas.gov (Texas Water Development Board)
DFW voter guide: How to navigate local elections
National elections get all the attention but local elections have 10x more impact on your daily life.
- Texas voter registration: votetexas.gov
- Deadline: 30 days before an election
- You need: Texas driver's license or state ID, SSN last 4, and a Texas address
Zoning debates in DFW: Why your neighborhood might change
Zoning determines what gets built where. DFW is having major zoning fights right now.
- The "Forward Dallas" comprehensive plan is updating zoning citywide for the first time in decades. Source: dallascityhall.com/forwarddallas
- Key proposal: allowing more multi-family housing in traditionally single-family areas
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) — backyard apartments — approved in more areas
School board elections in DFW: Why they matter more than you think
School boards control curriculum, budgets, hiring, and bond packages. They affect your kids daily. Here's why you should pay attention.
- Set tax rates (within state limits)
- Approve budgets ($1B+ for large districts like Dallas ISD, Frisco ISD)
- Hire/fire superintendents
Dallas vs Fort Worth city council: What local government is actually doing
Most DFW residents can name their US senator but not their city council member. Here's what local government is working on.
- Housing affordability — bond package includes $200M+ for affordable housing. Source: dallascityhall.com
- Infrastructure — road repairs, bridge maintenance, drainage improvements
- Public safety — police staffing still below target (DPD has 3,000+ officers, needs 4,000+). Source: Dallas Morning News
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Activity
Rep Breakdown
5,958 from posts · 9,879 from comments
Streak
Best Post
Most Active In
General147 postsAchievements
Tier Progress
148 rep to Veteran