In non-shocking news, all 10 of the propositions that were part of the City of Dallas’ proposed $1.25 billion bond were approved in an election on May 4.

"Bond" is another word for a "loan." Bonds are taken out by state and local governments to pay for projects like roads, schools, and parks.

But if you call it a "loan," you have to acknowledge that state and local governments will also be required to pay interest. Calling it a "bond" makes it sound upbeat, can-do.

A total of 80,129 voters turned out in Dallas County, representing approximately 5.6 percent of 1,430,934 registered voters.

The approved propositions include

• Proposition A, $521,200,000 for streets and transportation
• Proposition B, $345,270,000 for parks and recreational facilities
• Proposition C, $52,100,000 for flood control and storm drainage
• Proposition D, $43,530,000 for libraries
• Proposition E, $75,200,000 for cultural and performing arts facilities
• Proposition F, $90 million for public safety facilities such as police substations and fire stations
• Proposition G, $72,300,000 for economic development in the city
• Proposition H, $26,400,000 for affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization initiatives
• Proposition I, $19 million for permanent, supportive, and short-term housing for unsheltered individuals
• Proposition J, $5 million for information technology infrastructure

Each of the 10 bonds got about 80 percent approval.

Voters almost always approve bonds, because people enjoy spending money. It makes them feel like they've done something productive. "Look, I'm helping libraries." They don't bother with the details, which you can tell, since they approved Proposition G for "economic development." Not sure what that is, sounds good, vote yes.

That said, Proposition G got the lowest signoff with only 70 percent approval. Proposition A got the highest approval with 86.45 percent, both because it's streets but also probably because it was the first option to vote on.

Would the outcome be different if ballots explained up top that the bonds come with interest payments, and it's your actual money you're approving to spend?

Not included among all those feelgood projects was a new animal shelter, which animal advocates might argue is a project Dallas needs as desperately as street repair. Definitely more desperately than cultural and performing arts facilities.

In a release, city officials express their pro-bond sentiments, including Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, quoted as saying "these investments are critical for Dallas to continue its positive momentum as a world-class city and a premier destination for families, businesses, and visitors." Be wary of those who use the phrase "world-class."

Dallas Interim City Manager Kim Bizor Tolbert said that “'passage of this bond ensures our City has the resources to maintain and enhance the services and infrastructure that our residents, businesses and visitors rely on."

Fine print: Passage of these propositions does not guarantee that the City of Dallas will complete a specific project. The City Council may add or delete specific projects, modify project scope, add new projects, or adjust the amount of funds amounts dedicated to specific projects within the same proposition.

The City plans to issue bonds from the 2024 Bond Program in Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Project construction is planned to start within months of the first issuance of general obligation bonds; however, initiation and continuation of projects may be prioritized according to urgency of need and available resources, and some projects may not begin for a number of years.