In a decisive show of support, Plano voters appeared on May 3, 2025, to approve a sweeping $648 million bond package, marking the largest in the city’s history. Spread across seven propositions, the bond will channel major funding into road improvements, public safety facilities, parks and essential city infrastructure.
This package’s approval signals not just growth, but a public mandate for modernization. While the investment comes with a projected property tax rate increase of 3.2 cents, amounting to an estimated $224.65 annual hike by 2029 for a home valued at $579,554, residents see the value in long-term community enhancements.
Roads Take Center Stage
Leading the bond measures was proposition A, a $342.3 million investment in street improvement projects. Nearly three-quarters of voters backed the measure, which will pay for critical infrastructure repairs, including bridge and alley replacements, new sidewalks, upgraded traffic signals and video monitoring at key intersections.
Downtown infrastructure improvements are also on the list, signaling a broader strategy to maintain both heritage and mobility in one of North Texas’s most vital cities.
Public Safety Expansion
Voters also endorsed three major public safety propositions. Proposition B allocates $155.2 million for a new police headquarters, while proposition C adds another $51 million for a new police training center. Proposition D, with $37.5 million, will fund upgrades to fire stations — specifically expanding Fire Station 14 and remodeling Fire Station 8, which has not undergone a major renovation in 30 years. All three propositions passed with over 60% support.
Other City Investments
Plano’s Public Works Department will get a long-awaited update through proposition E, $45.1 million for a new fleet maintenance facility, appearing to pass with 56% support.
In smaller but meaningful upgrades, proposition F will devote $1.9 million to the 43-year-old Schimelpfenig Library, while proposition G, garnering nearly 72% support, will fund $40.8 million in improvements to community parks 20 years and older.
New Faces on City Council and School Board
Alongside the bond, voters selected new leadership across Plano’s City Council and school board.
- City Council:
- Place 2: Bob Kehr, a local businessman, appeared to defeat Carson Underwood and Douglas Reeves with about 55% of the vote.
- Place 4: Attorney Chris Krupa Downs led with about 54% over Cody Weaver.
- Place 5: Steve Lavine appeared to prevail over Gary Carey, filling the seat vacated by Shelby Williams.
- Place 8: Vidal Quintanilla led over Hayden Padgett, replacing term-limited Rick Smith.
- Plano ISD Board of Trustees:
- Place 2: Sam Johnson appeared headed for a clear win over Xiomar Pierre.
- Place 3: Incumbent Nancy Humphrey led in her reelection campaign against Harper Weaver.
- Place 6: Elisa Klein held a strong lead over Andrew Rettke and Dash Weerasinghe.
A Different Story For Frisco
While Plano voters were on board with additions and improvements to the city, Frisco voters were on the opposite side of the spectrum. As Local Profile previously reported, Frisco residents voted against two large propositions that would have brought Broadway shows and community performances to the city. The proposed Frisco Center for the Arts was ambitious, maybe too ambitious, and residents overwhelmingly voted down a $160 million bond to fund a portion of a $340 million performing arts center.
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