Texas voters will have plenty to consider when they head to the polls this November, with statewide and congressional contests sharing the ballot with billions of dollars in proposed local government debt.

The Nov. 3 election includes a closely watched U.S. Senate contest between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico, along with races for governor and other statewide offices. But farther down the ballot, voters in several of Texas’ largest cities and school districts will decide whether to authorize hundreds of millions — and in some cases more than $1 billion — in new bonds.

Bonds allow local governments to borrow money for long-term capital projects, with the debt generally repaid over a period of years. The proposals can fund everything from police facilities and parks to school renovations, buses and classroom technology.

The November elections come just six months after Texas voters approved some unusually large local bond packages.

Dallas Independent School District voters approved a $6.2 billion package on May 2, the largest school bond election in Texas history. The money is slated for projects including replacement schools, campus renovations, security improvements, technology and transportation.

Fort Worth voters also approved all six propositions in the city's May bond election. That package included more than $511 million for streets and mobility projects and more than $185 million for parks, recreation and open space.

Now another group of local governments is preparing to put borrowing proposals before voters in November.

Dallas seeks $443 million for public safety

Dallas voters will decide whether the city can issue $443 million in general obligation bonds for five public safety facility projects.

The proposal includes additional funding for a new law enforcement training center at the University of North Texas at Dallas, along with a public safety training complex at Dallas Executive Airport. Other projects include a consolidated police property room, crime lab and evidence vehicle storage facility, relocation and modernization of the city's 9-1-1 and Emergency Operations Center, and replacement of Fire Station No. 4 in downtown Dallas.

The bond would add to money Dallas voters previously authorized for public safety projects in the city's 2024 bond program.

Austin puts $295 million before voters

Austin voters will see two bond propositions totaling $295 million.

The larger proposal would authorize $260 million for parks and recreation projects. That includes $65.5 million for park buildings and facilities, $65 million for parkland improvements, $65 million for aquatics projects, $29.5 million for infrastructure and $35 million for land acquisition.

A separate $35 million library proposition would provide $20 million to renovate and expand the Hampton Branch at Oak Hill and $15 million for a future Colony Park library.

Two large school districts seek bonds

Some of the largest borrowing requests this fall are coming from school districts.

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD trustees have called a $1.636 billion bond referendum divided among four propositions. The largest, at about $1.3 billion, covers critical infrastructure and safety projects. Another $256 million proposition focuses on instructional technology, while separate propositions would provide $60.8 million for athletics and $20.1 million for swimming facilities.

The district is also holding a separate voter-approval tax rate election in November. That measure is not part of the bond referendum.

Northside ISD in San Antonio is asking voters to approve three bond propositions totaling $886.245 million.

The largest would provide about $764.7 million for projects that include facility improvements, safety and security, technology infrastructure and transportation. A second proposition would provide $56 million for instructional technology, while a third would authorize $65.5 million to replace the George Block Aquatics Center.

Dallas County has a tax question instead

Dallas County voters will also face a local government finance question in November, although it is not a bond proposal.

County commissioners adopted a property tax rate of $0.248650 per $100 of assessed value, above the county's voter-approval tax rate of $0.224650. That triggered an election in which voters will decide whether to accept or reject the higher rate. County documents say the additional revenue is intended for programs addressing homelessness, housing and mental health treatment.

If voters reject the proposal, the county's rate would fall to the voter-approval tax rate.

Taken together, the local propositions add another layer to an already busy November ballot. While statewide and federal races are likely to receive most of the attention, voters in several of Texas' largest communities will also make decisions about local borrowing, infrastructure and property taxes that could shape government finances for years to come.