HomeMy Public PortalAboutResolution No. 282-06 10-24-2006 • RESOLUTION NO. 282-06
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF RICHLAND
HILLS, TEXAS SUPPORTING A LOCAL OPTION
SALES TAX TO FUND REGIONAL RAIL IN NORTH
CENTRAL TEXAS.
Whereas, the City of Richland Hills supports regional efforts to address the
mobility and air quality needs of the citizens of North Central Texas; and
Whereas, implementing the passenger rail service component of the Metropolitan
Transportation Plan of the Regional Transportation Council is essential in addressing the
mobility and air quality needs of the citizens of North Central Texas; and
Whereas, local elected officials and transportation professionals in North Central
Texas have studied the funding options for implementing the regional rail plan and
determined that the sales tax is the best feasible means of providing the needed funding;
and
Whereas, most local governments in North Central Texas have no capacity
remaining within the two cent cap on local sales tax without the Texas Legislature
providing some relief from the current cap; and
• Whereas, the City of Richland Hills believes the North Central Texas re Tonal
g
rail plan can best be implemented by the Texas Legislature exempting from the two-cent
cap on local sales tax an amount equal to the locally authorized transit sales tax and
authorizing local governments to conduct a local option election to enact a sales tax for
transit or other lawful purposes; and
Whereas, the City of Richland Hills believes that such action by the Texas
Legislature is important to the economic vitality of Texas and the quality of life of
Texans.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Richland Hills
1. that the 80`h Texas Legislature is respectfully urged to exempt from the
two-cent cap on local sales tax an amount equal to the locally authorized
transit sales tax and authorize local governments to conduct a local option
election to enact a sales tax for transit or other lawful purposes; and
2. that the joint recommendation of DART, DCTA and the T for regional rail
North Central Texas attached hereto and made a part hereof is endorsed.
• PASSED AND APPROVED T ct,
HIS 24 day of October 2006
``````~~~t u u n n ulllq~~~
c~~p..ND H
~ ~ City of Richland Hills, Texas r
~ ~ vid L. Ragan, Mayor
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Attest:
r
im utter, TRMC, City Secretary
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~ agar DCTA
Jt)IN'I' KF.(:C)~1MENU.CfIt~N F(~R REGiONAi. RAIL. [N NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS
The three existing transit authorities support expanding meaningful public transit in Nrnth 'Texas through
our existing urgattilatioma. Such ttansil authorities support the Statement of Principles for the
lmplemcntation of a Regional Bail System in North (antral `Cexas agreed to in August 201)4 by regional
IrcWenhip under then fi~llowing ux><litions:
• New regional rail projects wilt require new sources of funding. The State atrthorized Saks and
Use Cax has been the primary rtteatna of funding public ttartYit service within the n~iun, and the
magnitude of the required funding will most likely dictate that sales tax should be the suurLn of
I fwxis for new regional rail projects. However, most cities in the rebion do not haver the ability to
fund public transit se:rvictat because saps and use tax cmpnc:ity hw barn ~xxnmittc;d to other uses.
• l'he three existing transit authorities support local option funding of public transit in the region by
I exempting an amount equal to the locally authorized transit sales tax hom the'?'/o cap in the
following counties:
o 'ra>rrant
o Parker
I o Johnson
o tJenton
a Wise
I o llaNas
• o Collin
a Kockwall
n Ellis
• This action wuuW provide an equitable means of allowing "non-trartYit" Jurtsehcttexts to determtne
as a local option whether or not they would choose to fund public transit, while albwing
jurisdictions that currently support public transit to determine whexttcr they would choose to
` allocate sales tax capacity for non-transit uses (up to the existing cap).
I • We support a dcterrnination of citizens' support of a regional rail system outside the existing
transit authorities' territory or service area, and inside The T's service area.
I Formation of a 4th transit entity is not recommended.
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I _ _ ark C. _
UAR f, C airtttan u the Board U res' a xccutivc Uircctor
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DC'i'A, C'riairman ~ e Roa ,r TK'>'A, Exee;utive Directex
Tha T, ('hair of the Board The , PresidentTxecuti~•e Director
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