DUNCANVILLE, Texas — The Duncanville City Council will not move forward with a proposed November 3, 2026, bond election for a new public safety facility following action taken during a Special Called Meeting on August 10.
Council considered an ordinance that would have asked voters to authorize up to $50 million in general obligation bonds for public safety facility improvements. Council chose not to move forward with the election at this time, allowing for further evaluation of options for a future Duncanville Police Department facility.
The decision follows more than a year of study and discussion. In February 2025, the City Council established a Bond Advisory Committee to evaluate potential capital projects. The committee recommended a $20 million base bond package for a police station and training facility and Municipal Service Center improvements. In August 2025, Council delayed consideration of a bond election to allow additional study of the Police Department’s facility and space needs.
The City subsequently engaged Kimley-Horn/ADG to conduct a Police and Court Needs Assessment. Through a series of briefings and workshops, Council considered operational and security needs, required space, potential locations, renovation and expansion options, new construction, costs, and financial impacts. Following revisions that reduced the proposed facility’s footprint and separated Municipal Court from the new Police Department concept, a $50 million target was established for the police facility. Additional improvements to the existing police facility and portions of City Hall were estimated at approximately $1 million to $5 million, depending on the extent of reconfiguration.
The proposed $50 million bond issuance was estimated to have a property tax rate impact of approximately 6.2 cents. The voter information document accompanying the proposed ordinance estimated approximately $93 million in combined principal and interest over a 25-year period.
Council discussed the need for improved police facilities while considering overall costs, existing debt, ancillary expenses, infrastructure, facility alternatives, financing, and project timing. Council also emphasized continuing the planning process and requested a facilities assessment to provide additional information about the condition, use, and future needs of City facilities.
Separately, the City currently has three outstanding debt obligations totaling $28,015,000 in principal and approximately $9.1 million in scheduled interest, for a combined obligation of about $37 million. These include General Obligation bonds associated with the voter-approved 2018 Bond Program, Certificates of Obligation for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure water meter project, and Texas Water Development Board financing for a lead service line inventory project. Duncanville also recently received an AA rating with a positive outlook from Fitch Ratings and an AA rating with a stable outlook from S&P Global Ratings.
The City Council will continue evaluating options for addressing the Police Department’s long-term facility needs as additional information becomes available.
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