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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 1957s, A Resolut'on ~so,~u~uon ~~~ RELATING TO UNFUNDED FEDERAL MANDATES WHEREAS, federal unfunded mandates on city governments, have increased significantly in recent years; and WHEREAS, federal mandates require cities to perform duties without consideration of local circumstances or capacity; and WHEREAS, federal mandates require compliance regardless of other pressing local needs and priorities affecting the health, welfare, and safety of municipal citizens; and WHEREAS, excessive federal burdens on cities force on citizens and taxpayers either higher local taxes and fees, reduced local services, or both; and WHEREAS, federal mandates are too often inflexible, "one-size-fits-all" requirements that impose unrealistic time frames and specify procedures, the construction of facilities or necessitate significant capital expenditures when less costly alternatives might be just as effective; and WHEREAS, existing mandates impose harsh pressures on local budgets, forcing the City of Fort Worth, for example, with an estimated operating budget of 5388 million to plan on additional spending of an estimated 5176 million in the next five years to comply with existing federal laws or administrative regulations; and WHEREAS, the cumulative impact of these legislative and regulatory actions directly affects the citizens of our cities; and WHEREAS, the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the National League of Cities (NLC), in conjunction with other state, county, and local government representatives and state municipal leagues, including the Texas Municipal League (TML), have begun a national public education campaign to help citizens and Congress understand and work to reduce the burden and inflexibility of unfunded mandates, beginning with a National Unfunded Mandates Day on October 27, 1993; vase Vr rV~i YYVKirl e ~ \ • Fil ~ • NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH: That the City of Fort Worth endorses the efforts of the United States Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities and the Texas Municipal League and supports working with the USCM, NLC, .and TML to fully inform our citizens about the impact of federal mandates on our city finances and the pocketbooks of our citizens; and That the City of Fort Worth endorses the events that will bagin this process on October 27th; and That the City of fort Worth resolves to redouble efforts to inform our Congressional delegation about the impact of unfunded federal mandates on city budgets and on local priorities and services, and to work with members of our Congressional delegation toward reducing the burdens these mandates cause for the citizens and taxpayers. Adopted this day of October, 1993. Mayor Kay Granger ATTEST: City Secretary ,. APPROVED }. COTY CQ~NC00~ OCT 2~ 1993 } , City S®eretargr of the City of Fori Wority Teams CITY OF FORT WORTH - _,~ ,~~.