HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8919INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
r To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
SUBJECT: 2008 Bond Election
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No. 8919
February 28, 2008
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In response to recent inquiries from the Fort Worth League of Neighborhood Associations and other
groups, we have reviewed the pertinent state law to determine the feasibility of separating the proposed
$150 million bond proposition into two propositions: one for proposed street improvements and the other
for construction of the proposed Trinity River Vision (TRV) bridges.
As you may know, City Manager Charles Boswell's recommendation for this bond program was a single
proposition that includes construction of the TRV bridges along with other surface transportation
improvements. I asked Acting Assistant City Manager Fernando Costa to independently research this
issue and to provide me with his recommendation. His findings are:
• If the City Council were to place the bridges in a separate proposition and the voters were to
approve that proposition, then the corresponding funds could only be used for the kinds of items
that are associated with the bridge proposition. Therefore, if the voters were to approve both
propositions and, if we were to find eventually that we did not need as much as the proposed $10.2
million for the bridges, then we would not have the discretion to transfer the unused funds from the
bridge program to the street program. If the voters were to approve a single proposition
encompassing both kinds of projects, however, then we would be able legally to transfer funds from
bridges to streets or vice versa.
• If the City Council wishes to make changes in the bond election package, the bond election
ordinance must be amended no later than March 10.
• We have previously sent the proposition language to the Tarrant County Elections Office, and we
would have to revise that language and forward it no later than March 12a'.
• We must file a supplemental report with the U.S. Department of Justice. Under federal regulations,
the Department of Justice has 60 days to review the provisions of our election for compliance with
the Voting Rights Act.
In the 2004 bond election, all surface infrastructure needs were grouped together, including the Southwest
Parkway and partial funding for the TRV bridges. Based on this information, I concur with the previous
City Manager's recommendation.
Please be aware that each of the projects in an approved Bond Election will also come before Council for
consideration prior to construction. This gives the City Council the ultimate flexibility to get these
projects approved and completed.
We hope that this info nation will be helpful.
Dais A.
City Manager
If you have any questions, please let us know.
ISSUED BY THE CRY MANAGER FORT WORTH. TEXAS