The City of Midlothian has placed a bond referendum on the November ballot to seek voter approval for funding future capital projects to address continued growth. Thanks to the city’s strong financial position, it can take on this debt without increasing the tax rate. General obligation bonds allow the city to invest in long-lasting public infrastructure now and repay the cost over time, supporting improvements while maintaining financial stability.

Last spring, city leaders formed a Citizens Planning Group to refine and set priorities for street and park improvements, drainage study needs, and law enforcement facilities, which have been selected  as the bond projects offered in this referendum.

The City of Midlothian has a long history of engaging citizens in the decision-making process. Citizens helped craft the City’s Comprehensive Plan as well as the Parks Master Plan, both of which were used to help identify needs for capital improvements.  More recently, the city conducted a community satisfaction survey, which revealed resident concerns about traffic congestion and safety, as well as the need for additional recreational facilities.

The five-year financial projections used for this referendum indicated no tax rate increase should the bonds pass.

Proposition A – Street Projects - $102.3 million

Dr. Rick Davis Drive from George Hopper Road to Methodist Way

• Construct Dr. Rick Davis Way to connect George Hopper Road to Methodist Way, approximately a quarter mile.

FM 1387 at Walnut Grove Road 

• Full intersection construction.

Hayes Road from FM 1387 to US Hwy. 287

• Extend Hayes Road with two lanes, approximately three miles from FM 1387 to US Hwy. 287. 

Midlothian Parkway at Main Street and FM 1387

• Improve Midlothian Parkway intersection at Main Street and FM 1387.

Mockingbird Lane from Walnut Grove Road to Hayes Road

• Expand Mockingbird Lane from Walnut Grove Road to Hayes Road.

Mt. Zion Road from Sudith Lane to Shady Grove Road

• Expand Mt. Zion Road approximately one mile from Sudith Lane to Shady Grove Road.

Shady Grove Road from Mt. Zion Road to Plainview Road

• Expand Shady Grove Road from Mt. Zion Road to Plainview Road.

Walnut Grove Road from FM 1387 to Mockingbird Lane

• Expand Walnut Grove Road from FM 1387 to Mockingbird Lane approximately three-quarters of a mile. 

Proposition B – Police Substation - $6.81 million

A police substation will increase the police presence in the eastern part of town, allowing Midlothian police to maintain quick response times despite increasing traffic throughout the 65-mile service area. The new facility will be located on the grounds of The Heights, domestic violence center, which will also improve service to this vulnerable population. The property for this additional location for police operations would be provided at no cost to the City of Midlothian.

Proposition C – Drainage Studies and Projects - $10 million

Stormwater drainage and flood-control studies and projects throughout Midlothian. The funding would evaluate drainage issues and areas prone to flooding and address the city’s ability to manage stormwater in order to protect streets and neighborhoods as Midlothian continues to grow.

Proposition D – Existing Park Improvements - $47.26 million

Jaycee Baseball Practice Fields Renovation

Built in the 1970s, Jaycee Park served as the primary community baseball fields until Midlothian Community Park baseball fields were opened in 2022.  Now serving as tournament and practice fields, Jaycee has received periodic updates, but needs more extensive renovations for public enjoyment and safety, including:

• Upgrade to synthetic turf infields to decrease number of days fields are closed due to rain

• Playground & surroundings – create more user-friendly shape for the park and add new shade structure, drainage, and playground surfacing

• Concrete sidewalks, bleacher pads, and replace all deteriorating concrete

• Add new bleachers and shade structures

• Upgrade all lighting to LED except for gold field

• Build new concession stand & restrooms

• Build park maintenance & baseball storage facility

• Add interior park signage and wayfinding

• Add an exterior park sign & landscaping

• Add new exterior wayfinding park sign

Sports Complex Bottom-up Rebuild  

Midlothian Sports Complex opened in the early 1990s and has been home to the Midlothian Tennis Association and Midlothian Softball Association for many years. Operated in partnership with the Midlothian Independent School District, the aging facility has experienced maximum use and has had few updates over the years. In order to maximize the available land, the current fields will be demolished and utilities relocated. This will allow two additional fields to be built along with additional parking. Improvements will include:

• Increase from four to six softball fields with shaded bleachers

• Improve tennis courts, pickle-ball courts and shade structure

• Relocate shot put and discus

• Relocate basketball and volleyball courts

• Replace playground and shade pavilion

• Add parking lots, drives and trails

• Add detention ponds

• Build new concession stand, restrooms, and storage area

• Improve amenities and batting cages

• Add sod, trees, irrigation and landscaping

• Add lighting to all areas

Mountain Peak Neighborhood Park Refurbishment

Since Mountain Peak Park was built, few improvements have been made to the facility.  To increase use and enjoyment of the park, improvements will include:

• Install two backstops

• Refresh existing bathroom

• Clean and paint existing pavilion and add two small pavilions

• Resurface basketball court and goals

• Improve amenities

• Add lighting

• Add interior signage/wayfinding

• Add park entrance sign

• Enhance landscaping, trees and grading and irrigation

• Improve playground, surface and shade structures

• Re-work drainage ditch

Proposition E – New Parks - $26.09 million

Mockingbird Multipurpose Fields

Located on city-owned land on the corner of Mockingbird Lane and Midlothian Parkway, this facility would accommodate multipurpose fields, including soccer, football, and flag football. Facilities will include:

• Lighted fields

• Parking lot and drive

• Restroom and concessions

• Irrigation

• Soil and turf

• Signage/Landscaping

• Sidewalks/Trails

• Parks maintenance and youth league storage

• Playground and shade structure

Ledgestone Park

Located on city-owned land west of Earl & Marthalu Dieterich Middle School on Ledgestone Drive, this unique, 34-acre park will feature outdoor recreational facilities open to all ages including the following:

• Bicycle pump track

• Mountain bike trails

• Bike wash/repair area

• Shaded obstacle course

• Playscape

• Open play area

• Shared-use trail

• Skate park

• Bird blind/Creek access loop

• Entry plaza/Restroom pavilion

• Parking lots

The Citizens Planning Group recommended a bond package that would be funded over five years. As such, all projects would be staged and completed within seven years. Project funding also will be sequenced so that the timing of bond issuance takes advantage of market and economic conditions, preserves the City’s borrowing capacity, and manages the debt service to ensure no impact on the tax rate.

Comprehensive Plan

Parks Master Plan

Community Survey Results

Early voting is October 19 through October 30

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3

Election page