HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 09 - Legislative AgendaITEM 0 -q.
MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ROGER NELSON, CITY MANAGERG�
MEETING DATE: DECEMBER 7, 2004
SUBJECT: CITY OF GRAPEVINE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council to consider approval of a formal legislative agenda for the City of
Grapevine.
BACKGROUND:
The attached legislative agenda for the City was developed in an effort to more formally
present our legislative needs to our representatives in Austin. City Council approval of
this agenda will grant more credibility to staff and consultant efforts to lobby on behalf of
the City. A formal Legislative Agenda will also make clear our priorities prior to the
beginning of the session, giving staff and Council adequate time to meet with elected
officials and their staffs to answer any questions or concerns prior to the beginning of the
session.
The legislative issues that we are prioritizing this session include streamlined sales tax
initiatives, property appraisal and revenue caps, school finance reform, unfunded
mandates, criminalization of the burglary of motor vehicles, DFW Airport, Northeast
Transportation Service funding and utility regulation. As the session progresses, staff
may bring forward further issues for your consideration.
This agenda was presented to the City Council at a work session on November 16,
2004. -
JCH
December 2, 2004 (12:33PM)
City of Grapevine
Legislative Agenda
79th Legislative Session
Streamlined Sales Tax Project
The City of Grapevine opposes changes to State law that change intrastate
remote sale situs to point of delivery.
Property Appraisal and Revenue Caps
The City of Grapevine opposes legislation that further erodes the market based
approach for the appraisal of real estate.
The City of Grapevine opposes legislation that would cap the amount of property
tax revenue a city could generate above the amount generated the previous
year.
School Finance Reform
The City of Grapevine recognizes and agrees that the school finance situation
needs to be addressed by the Texas Legislature. The City of Grapevine
continues to oppose repairing the school finance issue at the expense of cities as
the cities' finance systems are neither broken nor burdensome. Across the
State, cities receive only 15.3% of the funds raised through property taxes. For a
Grapevine resident, the City's tax rate is 13.4% of their total tax bill and GCISD
taxes are 62.7% of the tax bill. Clearly, the relief needed is on the portion of the
bill that belongs to the School District, not the City.
The City of Grapevine supports legislation that changes the current Robin Hood
school finance system to a fairer system for all of Texas. However, the City of
Grapevine will oppose any such legislation that does not address the impact the
changes in the school financing system could have on existing Tax Increment
Financing Districts.
Unfunded Mandates
The City of Grapevine opposes any efforts to pass along to cities additional fees
or increases in fees in order to fund State budget shortfalls.
The City of Grapevine opposes any legislation that would create new obligations
on cities to provide services to their citizens without the funding necessary to
carry out the provisions of the legislation.
Burglary of a Motor Vehicle
The City of Grapevine supports legislation that strengthens the penalties for the
offense of burglary of a motor vehicle.
DFW Airport
The City of Grapevine continues to support the revenue sharing agreement
between the Cities of Grapevine, Dallas and Fort Worth enacted by the 77th
Texas Legislature.
Northeast Transportation Service
The City of Grapevine supports maintaining TXDOT's formula funding -for urban
and rural transit districts. Grapevine is a participant, along with Keller, Bedford,
Hurst, Euless, Haltom City and North Richland Hills in the Northeast
Transportation Service.
Utility Regulation
Right of Way Management
The City of Grapevine supports legislation that affirms the jurisdiction of cities as
it relates to zoning and police powers of cities in rights-of-way.
Utility Relocation
The City of Grapevine supports legislation that requires utilities to relocate their
facilities when requested.
Access Lines
The City of Grapevine supports changes to the compensation methodology and
definition of access lines if these changes preserve the level of funding the cities
receive and are simpler than the current access line computation.
Telecommunication Discounts for Texas Libraries
The City of Grapevine supports legislation preserving telecommunications
discounts for Texas libraries.
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