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Election Day is Saturday, May 10, 2014 - Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on Election Day. Click here for a complete listing of Early Voting and Election Day polling locations.

When voters head to the polls, they will consider a Street Maintenance Sales Tax on the ballot.

What is a street maintenance sales tax?

State legislation allows municipalities to collect a quarter-cent sales and use tax exclusively for the maintenance and rehabilitation of existing public streets and alleys. The legislation requires voter approval every four years.

What is its purpose?

To provide timely and cost-effective rehabilitation and preventive maintenance of 3,000 lane miles 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 went to the polls on Sept. 2002 and approved a sales and use tax for street maintenance as a new funding source for ongoing street repair and maintenance. Voters reauthorized a sales tax in 2006 and 2010. Prior to these elections, a fee for street maintenance was collected on the water utility bill.

How much has been collected so far?

To date, approximately $125 million has been collected since voters authorized the sales use for street maintenance. Currently, the City collects approximately $12 - $13 million.

How has the money been spent?

Since sales tax collections began in January 2003, 100 percent of every dollar collected has been dedicated to the street maintenance program and the Public Works and Transportation Department has maintained 1,215 lane miles of roadway. Crack seal programs have been completed on streets to seal the surface and prevent moisture infiltration and deterioration. Asphalt milling and reclamation treatments have been done to build new road bases and street surfaces in several areas of the City. The City of Arlington utilizes a pavement management system and has implemented an inventory and pavement rating program.

How does the City of Arlington determine what streets will be maintained or repaired first?

The Public Works and Transportation Department uses the pavement management system to help assess pavement conditions and determine maintenance needs. Once streets are identified for maintenance, coordination occurs with Arlington Water Utilities to ensure water or sewer line work beneath the roadway is completed prior to street maintenance.

Are other cities collecting a sales tax for street maintenance?

According to the State Comptroller's Office, the North Texas cities of Grand Prairie, Haltom City, Lake Worth, Pantego and Samson Park currently have sales tax programs for street maintenance.

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

View the Street Maintenance Projects Schedule.

Why is the sales tax program on the election ballot this spring?

The sales and use tax expires every four years. State legislation requires voters to reauthorize the local tax every four years.

What is the city's current sales tax rate?

The current sales tax rate is 8 percent. Reauthorizing the street sales tax will not increase the tax rate.

If approved by voters, when will the sales and use tax expire?

If approved by voters this spring, the renewal will begin on Jan. 1, 2015. The tax will expire on Dec. 31, 2019.

Before You Go... Voting Times, Dates and Locations