HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 26720-02-2024ORDINANCE NO.26720-02-2024
AN ORDINANCE ORDERING A SPECIAL ELECTION BY THE
QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS ON
MAY 4, 2024, ON THE QUESTION OF APPROVING AND
IMPLEMENTING RESOLUTION NO.5866-01-2024 AUTHORIZING THE
FORT WORTH CONVENTION CENTER AS A VENUE PROJECT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 334, TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CODE, AND DESIGNATING THE METHOD OF FINANCING FOR THE
PROJECT AND ORDAINING RELATED MATTERS.
WHEREAS, Chapter 334 of the Texas Local Government Code (the "Act"), as amended,
authorizes the City Council to designate various sports -related and community -related capital
improvements —including convention centers, convention center facilities, and related improvemments
in the vicinity of convention centers —as a "venue" and to designate methods of financing to help fund
the planning, acquisition, establishment, development, construction, or renovation of the venue and
related infrastructure, subject to approval of the voters in an election called for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, before calling such an election, the Act requires (i) that the City Council adopt a
resolution providing for the planning, acquisition, establishment, development, construction, or
renovation of a venue project and the methods of financing authorized by the Act that the City Council
wishes to use to finance the project, and (ii) that the Texas Comptroller for Public Accounts (the
"Comptroller") provide written notice to the City that implementation of the resolution will not have a
significant negative fiscal impact on state revenue; and
WHEREAS, on January 9, 2024, the Fort Worth City Council adopted Resolution No. 5866-
01-2024 designating the Fort Worth Convention Center and related infrastructure as a venue project
in accordance with the Act (collectively, the "Venue Project"), and designating the method of
financing for the Venue Project, subject to voter approval at an election called for such purpose; and
WHEREAS, by letter dated January 24, 2024, the Comptroller notified the City of Fort Worth
(the "City") of the Comptroller's determination that approval and implementation of Resolution No.
5866-01-2024 would have no significant negative impact on state revenue; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Act, the City Council wishes to order a special election
to be submitted to the qualified voters of the City of Fort Worth, Texas on May 4, 2024, on the question
of approving and implementing Resolution No. 5866-01-2024, designating the Fort Worth Convention
Center and related infrastructure as a Venue Project and designating the method of financing for the
Venue Project;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS THAT:
FWCC Venue Election Ordinance Page 1 of 8
SECTION 1.
ELECTION ORDERED
The City Council hereby orders that a special election be held on May 4, 2024 (the "Election").
The City Council hereby finds that the date at which the Election shall be held is not less than seventy-
eight (78) days from the date this Ordinance is adopted.
SECTION 2.
MEASURE
At the Election, the following measure (the "Measure") shall be submitted to the qualified
voters of the City in accordance with law:
CITY OF FORT WORTH MEASURE A
Shall the City of Fort Worth, Texas be authorized to provide for the planning,
acquisition, establishment, development, construction, and renovation of the Fort
Worth Convention Center and related infrastructure (the "Venue Project") as a sports
and community venue project of the type described and defined in Section
334.001(4)(B) of and permitted by Chapter 334, Texas Local Government Code (the
"Act"), designated by City Council Resolution No. 5866-01-2024, and described in
summary form as the Fort Worth Convention Center and related infrastructure, as
defined in Chapter 334, Texas Local Government Code, and to impose a new venue
hotel occupancy tax on the price paid for a room in a hotel, at a rate not to exceed two
percent (2%) of the price of the hotel room, for the purpose of financing the venue
project, as and to the extent permitted by Subchapter H of Act, with such tax to be in
addition to the tax imposed under Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code and with the
combined hotel occupancy tax rate imposed from all sources not to exceed seventeen
percent (17%) of the price paid for a room in a hotel?
SECTION 3.
BALLOT PROPOSITION
The official ballots to be used in the Election shall be prepared in accordance with Sections
52.072 and 52.073 of the Texas Election Code, as amended. The ballots shall be printed in English,
Spanish and Vietnamese for use in the Election. The ballots shall permit the electors to vote "For"
or "Against" the aforesaid Measure and shall be set forth on the ballots in substantially the following
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form:
(a)
(a)
H
CITY OF FORT WORTH PROPOSITION A
Authorizing the City of Fort Worth, Texas to provide for
renovation of the Fort Worth Convention Center and related
FOR infrastructure (the "Venue Project" designated by City
Council Resolution No. 5866-01-2024), and to impose a
AGAINST new venue hotel occupancy tax on the price paid for a room
in a hotel, at a rate not to exceed two percent (2%) of the
price of the hotel room, for the purpose of financing the
Venue Project; if approved, the maximum hotel occupancy
tax rate imposed from all sources in the City of Fort Worth
would be seventeen percent (17%) of the price paid for a
room in a hotel.
SECTION 4.
ELECTION DAY
The Tarrant, Denton, and Parker County polling places shall be kept open on May 4, 2024,
from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and due returns shall be made to the City Council showing the
number of votes cast "For" and "Against" the Measure.
SECTION 5.
EARLY VOTING CLERKS
Clinton Ludwig, Tarrant County Elections Administrator, or his successor, shall serve as the
early voting clerk for the Tarrant County portion of the Election.
Applications for early voting ballots to be voted by mail by Tarrant County voters should be
forwarded as follows:
Mailing address: Early Voting Clerk
Tarrant County Elections
P.O. Box 961011
Fort Worth, Texas 76161-0011
Express Courier Delivery: Early Voting Clerk
Tarrant County Elections
2700 Premier Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76111-3011
Fax: (817) 850-2394
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Email:
votebymailgtarrantcounty. com
(c) Frank Phillips, Denton County Elections Administrator, or his successor, shall serve as the
early voting clerk for the Denton County portion of the Election.
(d) Applications for early voting ballots to be voted by mail by Denton County voters should be
forwarded as follows:
Mailing Address: Frank Phillips, Early Voting Clerk
701 Kimberly, Suite A100
Denton, Texas, 76208
Express Courier Delivery:
Fax:
Email:
Or
P.O. Box 1720
Denton, Texas, 76202
Early Voting Clerk
701 Kimberly, Suite A100
Denton, Texas, 76208
940-349-3201
elections gdentoncounty. com
(e) Jenise "Crickett" Miller, Parker County Elections Administrator, or her successor, shall serve
as the early voting clerk for the Parker County portion of the Election.
(f) Applications for early voting ballots to be voted by mail by Parker County voters should be
forwarded as follows:
Mailing Address
Express Courier Delivery:
Fax:
Email:
Early Voting Clerk
P.O. Box 639
Weatherford, Texas, 76086
Early Voting Clerk
1112 Santa Fe Drive
Weatherford, Texas, 76086
817-598-6183
s.bryangparkercoLmt .com
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(g)
(a)
(b)
Applications for early voting ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of
business on April 23, 2024.
SECTION 6.
EARLY VOTING
Early Voting by personal appearance for Fort Worth residents shall be conducted beginning
April 22, 2024, and continue through April 30, 2024.
The main Early Voting locations and times for Fort Worth residents are:
(1) Voters residing in Tarrant County:
Location: Tarrant County Elections Center
2700 Premier Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76111
Times:
April 22 —26
Monday — Friday 8:00 a.m.
— 5:00 p.m.
April 27
Saturday 7:00 a.m.
— 7:00 p.m.
April 28
Sunday 10:00 a.m.
— 4:00 p.m.
April 29-30
Monday — Tuesday 7:00 a.m.
— 7:00 p.m.
(2) Voters residing in Denton County:
Location: Denton County Elections Administration
701 Kimberly Drive, Ste. A111
Denton, Texas 76208
Times:
April 22 —27 Monday — Saturday 8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.
April 28 Sunday 11:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m
April 29-30 Monday — Tuesday 7:00 a.m. — 7:00 p.m.
(3) Voters residing in Parker County
Location: Parker County Courthouse Annex — Annex Kitchen
1112 Santa Fe Drive
Weatherford, Texas 76086
Times:
April 22-25
April 26
April 29-3 0
Monday -Thursday
Friday
Monday — Tuesday
8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.
7:00 a.m. — 7:00 p.m.
7:00 a.m. — 7:00 p.m.
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The locations, dates, and times listed above are subject to revision by each respective County
Elections Administrator. The City Secretary is charged with advising the public via internet
posting or other appropriate means regarding changes to any location, date, or time.
SECTION 7.
VOTING SYSTEM AND JOINT ELECTION
An electronic voting system, as defined in Chapter 121 of the Texas Election Code, shall be used
for voting at the regular polling places for the Election and for counting the ballots and the tabulation of
the results. The conduct of the Election and the use of the electronic voting system shall be in accordance
with the Texas Election Code.
The Election shall be held as a Joint Election pursuant to a Joint Election Agreement by and
between the City of Fort Worth and the Tarrant County Elections Administrator; the City of Fort Worth
and the Denton County Elections Administrator; the City of Fort Worth and the Parker County Elections
Administrator; and other political subdivisions located in those counties. Pursuant to the above -mentioned
Joint Election Agreements, the Tarrant County Elections Administrator shall serve as the Elections
Administrator for that portion of the Election held in Tarrant County, the Denton County Elections
Administrator shall serve as the Elections Administrator for that portion of the Election held in Denton
County, and the Parker County Elections Administrator shall serve as the Elections Administrator for that
portion of the Election held in Parker County. Presiding Election Judges and Alternate Presiding Election
Judges appointed to serve at said polling places listed in the Joint Election Agreements and Central
Counting Stations and required personnel therefor shall be those furnished by the Elections Administrators
pursuant to the terms of the Joint Election Agreements. Each Election Administrator is authorized to
create an Early Voting Ballot Board pursuant to Section 87.001 of the Texas Election Code for the portion
of the Election occurring in their respective county. Each Early Voting Ballot Board shall be made up of
members appointed in the manner stated in the respective Joint Election Agreements, and the Presiding
Judges and the Alternate Presiding Judges of the Early Voting Ballot Boards shall be the elections officials
listed in the Joint Election Agreements.
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SECTION 8.
PROCLAMATION
This ordinance shall constitute the proclamation, call, and ordinance calling and ordering the
Election.
SECTION 9.
PUBLICATION
Notice of the Election shall be given by publishing a Notice of Election, in English, Spanish, and
Vietnamese, at least once, not earlier than the 30th day or later than the IOth day before election day in a
newspaper published in the City. A copy of the Notice of Election, in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese
shall be posted on the City's board used for posting notices of the meeting of the Fort Worth City Council
and on the City's website not later than the 21 St day before election day.
SECTION 10.
NOTICE
The way and manner of holding the Election, the notice to be given therefor, the polling places,
the personnel and the officers who are to hold same, and all details connected with the holding of the
Election shall be provided for and arranged by the City Secretary. The proper notice and publication of
this notice, proclamation, call and ordinance shall be only cumulative of and in addition to the statutory
notice of the Election as herein provided. Any omission or irregularity in this notice or in the publication
or posting of this notice, proclamation, call and ordinance, or in the signing of same, shall not in any way
affect or invalidate the Election.
SECTION 11.
CONTROLLING LAW
In all respects, the Election shall be conducted in accordance with the Texas Election Code
and the Charter of the City of Fort Worth, Texas.
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SECTION 12.
OPEN MEETING COMPLIANCE
It is hereby officially found and determined that the meeting at which this Ordinance was
adopted and the Election was called was open to the public, and public notice of the time, place, and
purpose of said meeting was given, all as required by Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, as
amended.
SECTION 13.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Ordinance, election order, proclamation, and call shall take effect upon adoption.
AP ROVED S TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
eann Guzman, City Attorney
ATTEST:
Qa4 _X II__t:o � .
eannelte Goodall, City Secretary
Mattie Parker
Mayor of the City of Fort Worth
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