HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 05-24
RESOLUTION NO. 05- .;1 'f
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS, URGING THE
LEGISLATURE NOT TO ADOPT ANY SCHOOL FINANCE REFORM OR TAX SYSTEM
CHANGES THAT WOULD NEGATIVELY AFFECT CITY REVENUES AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Texas Legislature was called into a Fourth Special Session and
failed to pass school finance reforms; and
WHEREAS, during the special session by the Texas Legislature, proposals to
limit the ability of cities to collect property taxes and sales taxes were offered by some
members of the Legislature; and
WHEREAS, additional restrictions on city taxes fly in the face of a history of
frugal tax administration by Texas cities; and
WHEREAS, all Texas cities combined collect only 15.3 percent of all property
taxes collected in the State of Texas, while schools collect more than 60 percent; and
WHEREAS, between 1985 and 2004, the municipal share of all property tax
revenue fell from 20.3 percent to 15.3 percent; and
WHEREAS, Texas cities rely on tax revenue to build basic infrastructure, to
ensure public safety through police and fire departments, and to provide numerous
essential services for city residents, who are 80 percent of the state's population; and
WHEREAS, Texas cities engage in numerous economic development activities
that produce jobs and revenue for the entire State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, cities must meet the challenges of homeland security and
compliance with state and federal mandates, many of which are unfunded mandates;
and
WHEREAS, Texas cities have shown over the years that they are fiscally
responsible and good stewards to taxpayers' money; and
WHEREAS, it is the highest priority of City of The Colony, Texas to continue to
urge the Texas Legislature not to adopt legislation to limit the ability of cities to collect
sales and property tax revenues or to set tax rates that would have severe negative
impacts on city services, city employees, economic development efforts, and ultimately
the citizens of the State of Texas; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY HEREBY RESOLVES:
SECTION 1. That the government body of the City of The Colony will continue to
oppose all school finance reforms or tax system changes by the Texas Legislature that
negatively impact the ability of the City to provide basic essential services, conduct
economic development activities, and ensure public safety by limiting our ability, beyond
the provisions of current law, to collect property tax or sales tax revenues.
SECTION 2. The Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its
passage and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the th day of February, 2005.
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Jrm Dillard, Mayor
Attest:
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Christie Wilson, City Secretary