The City of Arlington is inviting residents to a new series of candid town-hall meetings that aim to bring city leaders and the public into direct conversation about local policy and planning. Branded “Arlington Unfiltered: Straight Talk with the Mayor,” the sessions will run between October 2026 and May 2027, with the next scheduled meeting on Thursday, March 18, 2027.
Where and when to attend
The March session is set for 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S Center St. The events are free and designed to encourage open dialogue between Arlington residents and Mayor Jim Ross’s office.
"designed to give you a direct voice on the issues that matter most to our community."
The series is described by city officials as an opportunity to listen, learn and work collaboratively on local challenges. Each session will include updates on what the city is doing, plans underway and work already completed — plus time for residents to ask questions and offer ideas.
Topics on the agenda
City materials list three primary topics planned for discussion during the town-hall series:
- Gas wells — concerns about siting, safety and community impact.
- Data centers — local permitting, infrastructure needs and economic implications.
- Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations — deployment plans and how charging infrastructure will be integrated into Arlington’s transportation and energy strategies.
Officials say each meeting will offer residents updates on what Arlington has done so far and what remains on the agenda. The structure is intended to allow time for residents to share experiences, ask questions and propose solutions.
How residents can participate
The format is community-focused and free of charge; the city encourages residents to attend in person at the Bob Duncan Center. According to the event notice, sessions are meant to be candid, with an emphasis on hearing directly from the public and responding to community concerns.
| Series name | Dates | Next meeting | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington Unfiltered: Straight Talk with the Mayor | October 2026–May 2027 | March 18, 2027, 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S Center St. |
Residents wanting to weigh in should consider preparing brief comments or questions ahead of time, particularly if they have specific concerns about gas-well operations near neighborhoods, the siting and resource demands of data centers, or where EV chargers should be prioritized across the city.
Context for the issues
Each of the three agenda items has drawn attention in Arlington and across North Texas. Gas wells can raise health, safety and land-use questions for nearby communities. Data centers are a growing presence in the Dallas–Fort Worth region and bring debates over power, water use and zoning. EV charging is a fast-evolving part of transportation planning as cities prepare for increased electric-vehicle adoption.
By placing these topics front and center, the mayor’s office is signaling an intent to engage residents on infrastructure, environmental and development questions that will shape Arlington’s growth in the coming years.
The city’s announcement emphasizes that these town halls are about listening as much as informing. Residents who cannot attend in person are encouraged to follow official city channels for updates on the series and any posted materials from the sessions.
The March 18 session at the Bob Duncan Center is free and open to the public. For additional dates and details about the complete series, Arlington residents can consult the City of Arlington’s event listings.
