From
Donald Postell, City Attorney
Title
Resolution Establishing Legislative Priorities for 2015
Presenter
Donald Postell, City Attorney
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The Texas legislature is scheduled to convene on January 13, 2015. Among other things, the legislature will consider many measures detrimental to the City’s ability to provide services. It is critical that the City of Grand Prairie focus its attention on the most critical items by establishing legislative priorities. The City Council Finance and Government reviewed the resolution below on May 21 and again on July 15 and has recommended approval.
Financial Consideration
The City has budgeted funds to pay for Focused Advocacy to act as the City’s legislative liaison.
Body
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE CITY’S PRIORITIES IN THE 2015 LEGISLATURE
WHEREAS, beginning January 13, 2015, the legislature convenes in its biannual 140-day session; and
WHEREAS, it is always a challenge for municipalities with limited resources to prevent encroachments on local authority and correct problems with existing statutes; and
WHEREAS, is more important than ever to establish priorities among the items considered so as to maximize the cities impact.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE:
SECTION 1: THAT the City of Grand Prairie will attempt to find sponsors, provide testimony and actively work on behalf of the items in the priority category. Items in the support category will be actively supported with testimony but sponsorship will not be sought. Endorse category items will receive written support and witness support when reasonable feasible.
SECTION 2: THAT the City of Grand Prairie adopts the following list of prioritized goals:
PRIORITY
• Authorize an extension of a Sales Tax election time from four (4) years to eight (8) years if 60% or more of the voters supported it in the last election.
• Authorize cities to regulate the siting of Payday, Car title and other short term lenders.
• Support additional gaming opportunities at existing racetracks.
• Exempt Dallas County from any requirement to create and fund a Ground Water Conservation District.
SUPPORT
• Oppose any change in sales tax collection to a destination based system.
• Propose legislation that would insure no multifamily project would be financed with state backed bond financing without the consent of the municipality where the project is to be built.
• Authorize the sale of specified city structures without bids and below market to entities, which have paid for the construction of such structures.
ENDORSE
• Support increased funding for the Texas recreation & parks account local park grant program and the Texas state park system.
• Clarify cities control of zoning with regard to gas pipelines and compressor stations.
• Mandate the actual sales price of real estate transactions be reported to the Tax Appraisal District.
• Support municipal authority to require underground utilities.
SECTION 3: THAT in addition to the specific items listed above, the general principles to be followed are to support legislation which preserves local determination and oppose legislation which reduces local control by municipal government; to fight any attempt to reduce annexation authority; to specifically monitor closely any proposed legislation which would adversely impact city funding sources, especially related to lowering caps on valuation increases, tax increment financing districts, 4b corporations, or the ¼ cent sales tax for streets; and to work with other similarly situated municipalities and with the Texas Municipal League on items of mutual interest.
SECTION 4: THAT this resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval and it is accordingly so resolved.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, ON THIS THE 17th DAY OF JULY, 2014.