HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 3061A Resolution
NO 1
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, OPPOSING ANY TAX
PROPOSAL THAT NEGATIVELY AFFECTS CITY REVENUES AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS
WHEREAS the Governor has proposed that the Texas Legislature address school finance
and tax system reforms in the near future and
WHEREAS during deliberations by the Texas Legislature it is likely that proposals will be
included which will limit a city's ability to collect property taxes and sales taxes and
WHEREAS the existing restrictions such as the 10% appraisal cap and the `Truth-in-
Taxation laws have been successful in keeping city and county property taxes at a
reasonable level and
WHEREAS additional restrictions on city taxes are incongruent with the City of Fort Worth s
history of prudent and conservative fiscal management; and
WHEREAS the City of Fort Worth has proven over the years to be fiscally responsible and a
good steward of taxpayers money and has reduced the citizens tax burden and
WHEREAS for seven consecutive years between 1996 - 2002 the City of Fort Worth has
lowered the property tax rate and even in the face of a slumping economy and a continually
growing population the City has held the tax rate flat since 2002 and
WHEREAS the proposed plan will have a profound effect on a city's ability to promote
economic development efforts such as job creation and attracting major employers and
WHEREAS over the last 30 years cities have been the driving force that has made economic
development efforts successful within the state making Texas the leader among all states in
net job creation since 1990 and
WHEREAS all Texas cities combined receive only 15 3 percent of all property taxes collected
in the State of Texas while schools receive more than 60 percent; and
WHEREAS between 1985 and 2002 the municipal share of all property tax revenue fell from
20 3 percent to 15 3 percent; and
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WHEREAS a limitation on the cities resources would create a statewide municipal finance
crisis not unlike the present school finance crisis 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 cities must meet the challenges of homeland security and compliance with state
and federal mandates many of which are unfunded mandates and
WHEREAS efforts to limit the ability of cities to collect sales and property tax revenues or to
set tax rates would have severe negative impacts on the provision of city services on city
employees and their families on economic development efforts and ultimately on the State of
Texas as a whole
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF THE
CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS
That the governing body of the City of Fort Worth will oppose all school finance or tax reform
efforts by the Texas Legislature that will limit our ability beyond the provisions of current law
to collect property tax or sales tax revenues and consequently negatively impact the City's
ability to provide basic essential services such as streets parks and libraries conduct
economic development activities and ensure public safety through the provision of police fire
and ambulance services _~, ,~, ~j
Adopted this ~ '~ day of ~ 12G~~~~ 2004
ATTEST
By
A~P~:~e~'~~
Syl a Glover Acting City Secretary ~~~°~ ~w~r~~,~~~~
MAR 30 ~
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