Term limits, $23.5 million bond election: What’s at stake for Allen voters

Allen voters must decide on four propositions that will have a lasting impact on the city’s future.

Early voting for local elections began on Oct. 18, with Election Day on Nov. 2.

Allen residents’ ballots include proposed term-limit increases for city council members and the mayor, eight amendments to the Texas constitution and Allen ISD bond propositions totaling $23.6 million.

Here’s what’s at stake.

Allen City Council term limits election

Allen voters are faced with proposed changes to the city’s charter. If approved, council members and the mayor could serve longer.

Mayor Ken Fulk has said that Allen’s term limit provisions are the “most restrictive in Collin County.”

The proposed city charter changes would bring the city’s term limits on par with neighboring cities such as Frisco, Plano, Prosper and McKinney, the city says.

The current city charter, which was adopted by voters in May 2019, limits total service on the council to 12 years and two consecutive terms. If a council member or mayor has already served two consecutive terms, they must sit out one full term before serving their final term.

Advocates say a term-limit increase would help bring stability to the city’s elected body and staff. Keeping elected officials in their positions longer would also keep Allen influential in regional politics because appointees could serve longer on county and regional committees, advocates say.

Critics of the proposed term-limit increases say they worry about city council members becoming “career politicians” and that local elected officials would wield too much power if the amendments pass.

Proposition A would allow council members and mayors to serve three consecutive terms — instead of two — and would increase total service from 12 years to 18 years. The amendment would also permit a person who has served the maximum terms or years to be appointed to fill an unexpired vacancy.

Proposition B would allow council members to sit out one election year, rather than one full term, before running again.

Allen ISD bond: $23.6 million

In the district’s November 2020 election, two propositions worth more than $7.5 million failed. The other two propositions on last November’s ballot — worth $214 million — passed by less than 20 votes. In this election, the district is seeking some of the same proposals from the failed propositions — and more.

Proposition A, worth $15.9 million, would pay for several facility updates, including the Allen High School tennis complex, the weightlifting center at the Lowery Freshmen Center, and the Allen ISD Activities Center.

Proposition B, worth $7.7 million, will pay for turf and track improvements at various Allen ISD athletic facilities if it passes. Ford Middle School would also get its own turf and track. Ford is the only middle school campus in AISD without either, which has reportedly caused problems for athletes.