Special Election Funding

At a glance

What: Joint election agreements with Dallas, Collin and Denton Counties for a special election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, plus an ad hoc canvassing committee.
Where it stands: All four items were adopted on August 25, 2026. The canvass report is due at the November 10, 2026 Council meeting or a special called meeting.
Amounts: Dallas County $1,616,907.58 plus $200,000 for notices and advertising (total not to exceed $1,816,908, from the General Fund Contingency Reserve); Collin County $65,000; Denton County $45,000.
Not stated in the minutes: What is on the special election ballot.

Dallas County item: Mendelsohn moved to deny (seconded by Willis); it failed 5 to 8. West's motion to adopt then passed 8 to 5. Voting no on adoption: Bazaldua, Blackmon, Roth, Mendelsohn, Ridley. Blair and Stewart were absent.
Collin County item: Mendelsohn withdrew a motion to deny, then moved to adopt; passed 11 to 3 (Bazaldua, Blackmon, Ridley opposed).
Denton County item: Mendelsohn moved to adopt; passed 11 to 3 with the same three opposed.
Canvassing committee (Item 52): Gracey moved; passed 12 to 1 (Bazaldua opposed).
During the September 2 budget amendments, Gracey proposed redirecting $600,000 from the City Secretary's election fund; it did not advance (see Biennial City Budget).

All four election items adopted; deny motion on the Dallas County agreement failed 5 to 8.