HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2004-04
RESOLUTION NO. 2004-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS, ON
SCHOOL FINANCE OR TAX SYSTEM REFORMS THAT WOULD AFFECT
CITY REVENUES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS
WHEREAS, it is likely t11at tIle Texas Legislattlre will address sellool fil1ance alld tax
systelTI reforms in the l1ear future; and
WHEREAS, during theses deliberations by tIle Texas Legislature, proposals to limit tIle
ability of cities to collect property taxes and sales taxes are lil<ely to be offered by some
members of the Legislature; and.
WHEREAS, additional restrictions on city taxes fly ill tIle face of a l1istory of frllgal tax
adluinistration by Texas cities; alld
WHEREAS, all Texas cities com.bined collect only 15.3 percent of all property taxes
collected ill tIle State of Texas, w11ile sclloo1s collect more than 60 percel1t; and
WHEREAS, between 1985 and 2002, tIle municipal sllare of all property tax revenue fell
from 20.3 percellt to 15~3 percellt; alld.
WHEREAS, Texas cities rely 011 tax revenue to build basic infrastructure, to el1S11re
public safety through police and fire departments, and to .provide nlllnerOllS essential
services for city residents, WI10 are 80 percellt of tIle state's population; alld
WHEREAS, Texas cities el1gage in llUluerOllS ecollolnic development activities t11at
produce jobs and revenue for the entire State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, cities lllUst Ineet the challenges of 110me 1 and. security al1d compliatlCe witll
state and federal mal1dates, many of which are unfunded mandates; and
WHEREAS, it is the voters of individllal cities who sllould pass 011 tIle fiscal
administratiol1 of their city at tIle ballot box, not State Statlle; llild
WHEREAS, efforts to limit tIle ability of cities to collect sales and :propelty tax revel1ues
or to set tax rates V!9l11d. llave severe llegative impact 011 city services, city employees,
economic development efforts and ultimately tIle citizens of tIle State of Texas Wllich
should be su.bject to local taxpayer controlllot State Statue; al1d
WHEREAS, certail1 restrictions 011 tile right of a City to iJll.pose property taxes migllt
violate the Texas Constitlltion's equal taxation provision resulting in substmltially
differel1t taxable valu.es between siluilar properties~
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS:
That tIle goverl1il1g body oftlle City of West University Place will oppose all scllool
finance or tax ref Of In efforts by tIle Texas Legislature tllat l1egatively ilnpact tIle ability of
tIle City to provide basic essential services, condllct economic developtuent activities,
and el1sure public safety by limiting our a.bility, beyon.d the provisio.ns of currel1t law, to
collect property tax or sales tax revel111es.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this ~ ~ day of ~ ' 2004.
ATTEST:
~~
Ka ynn Holloway ~
City Secretary
AjOVE
Jalnes Dougllerty
City Attorney