Share
Star-Telegram's Nov. 3 election recommendations
Tarrant County voters head to polls today
Texas voters, although few, strongly endorse all constitutional amendments
PoliTex blog: From North Texas to D.C., our insiders take you beyond the usual rhetoric 
Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
Fort Worth’s sales tax that pays for police and crime-prevention programs was headed toward easy reapproval late Tuesday amid light turnout.
Around Tarrant County, most other local propositions passed handily.The Fort Worth half-cent tax, officially known as the Crime Control and Prevention District, was passing with 81 percent of the vote, with 182 of 195 precincts counted. That means the tax will be continued for another five years."The vote reflects how important this tool is now and in the future," Mayor Mike Moncrief said.The tax brings in about $50 million a year and pays for such things as neighborhood patrol officers, beefed-up gang and narcotics units, vehicles, helicopters and police buildings. It also pays for crime-prevention programs such as the Citizens on Patrol groups and late-night sports leagues at city recreation centers.The tax was implemented in 1995, when Fort Worth was still in a crack-cocaine epidemic. Since then, crime has decreased by 32 percent. Fort Worth has gone from one of the nation’s most dangerous cities to one of the safest.Here’s a look at other area elections, according to unofficial returns.Dalworthington GardensNearly 72 percent of voters approved allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption.Haltom CityA quarter-cent sales tax that pays for street maintenance was approved by 74 percent of the vote.River OaksFour charter amendments were approved Tuesday night.More than 76 percent of voters approved switching the city’s fiscal year to begin Oct. 1, like most cities. The city currently starts its fiscal year April 1, and this change will make it easier for River Oaks to do business with other cities. More than 56 percent of voters approved changing the terms for City Council members to three years and changing the election cycle so that two members are elected every year. Nearly 75 percent approved reducing the number of required council meetings from two to one. And more than 68 percent approved raising the minimum age for council members from 18 to 21, requiring them to live in the city and banning them from holding two offices at once.SaginawAlex Drew McGraw earned 50.20 percent of the vote, besting Monte Nichols, to win a special election to fill the unexpired term left when Councilwoman Gerry Davis resigned. He won by two votes, 247 to 245, and will serve until the regular election in May. At that time, an election will be held for a full three-year term.Sansom ParkEighty-four percent of voters agreed to reauthorize a quarter-cent sales tax dedicated to street repairs.Trophy ClubVoters were leaning toward approving $5 million in bonds to build new parks, with 52.7 percent supporting it, according to incomplete and unofficial returns from Denton and Tarrant counties.Aledo school districtVoters in the Aledo school district voted against shifting some of the schools’ tax money from debt service to operations, Superintendent Don Daniel said. The vote was 1,027 against approval to 788 for, he said. Some voters may have incorrectly thought approving the initiative meant a tax hike, Daniel said."It would have just helped the school district maintain a better financial condition over the next two years," Daniel said. Everman school districtBy a margin of eight, voters in the Everman school district rejected a tax rate of $1.36 per $100 of assessed property value. The vote was 304 against approval to 296 for. The election was required because the district shifted some of its tax revenue from debt service to operations. Officials said the measure was needed to increase the district’s operating budget.Staff writers Aman Batheja and Anna M. Tinsley contributed to this report.MIKE LEE, 817-390-7539
@Nyx.CommentBody@