There will be no quick trip down the ballot for North Texas voters in November. Beyond a marquee Senate race and other statewide, legislative and county contests, Plano will decide on new taxes to help pay for a Dallas Stars arena.
Plano voters will decide whether to authorize five taxes to help finance a proposed Dallas Stars arena at the long-struggling Shops at Willow Bend.
The city plans to contribute $700 million toward the estimated $1 billion arena, through bonds backed by revenue from a tax increment reinvestment zone the city approved earlier this year. Plano would own the arena and lease it to the team, with the project anchoring a mixed-use entertainment district.
The proposal would allow taxes of up to 5% on short-term rental cars, 2% on hotel rooms, $3 on event parking and 10% on tickets. Major-league players could be charged up to $5,000 per game. Officials say Plano property-tax rates would not increase.
City leaders call the project a chance to attract visitors and create a year-round entertainment district. They say transaction taxes and commercial property-tax revenue would place the cost on visitors, fans and the development.
 Critics question using public money for a private team. Residents fear traffic, noise and disruption to the neighbors around the mall. Traffic dominated 84% of responses to a city survey about primary interests regarding the project.
The vote would authorize taxes, not a final arena agreement. Officials say the project could proceed if they fail. Financing and development agreements remain unfinished, and a traffic analysis is underway. The ballot lists maximum rates, but Plano has not decided what to impose or for how long.
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