HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-1985-17
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RESOLUTION NO. 85-17
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING ADOPTION OF THE NEW TEXAS WATER PLAN AT
THE NOVEMBER 5, 1985 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ELECTION
WHEREAS, rapid economic expansion and population growth are
taxing the state's existing water resources to their limits; and
to meet the current and mid-term needs of the state will require
the construction of at least 44 new reservoirs, 200 major
wastewater treatment systems and scores of large-scale
flood-control projects; and
WHEREAS, city governments, which historically have borne the
major part of the responsibility for financing water resource
facilities, will be required to carry an even greater share in the
future due to reductions in federal aid; and
WHEREAS, the cumulative cost of the water resource facilities
that need to be provided between now and the year 2030 could
approach $100 billion - an amount that far exceeds the ability of
local governments to finance without state assistance; and
WHEREAS, the 1985 Texas Legislature approved a new proposed
Texas Water Plan that, upon voter adoption, will establish a sound
methodology for addressing the state's diverse water problems, and
create a major new role for state government in helping finance
the solutions to those problems; and
WHEREAS, the new Texas Water Plan will appear on the November
5, 1985 statewide constitutional amendments ballot as Amendments 1
and 2 and, if adopted, would:
(1) Create a $400 million state fund to guarantee water
resource bonds issued by municipal governments, thus
saving city taxpayers tens of millions of dollars in
interest costs;
(2) Allocate $400 million in funding for state participation
in the cost of oversize capacity of reservoirs and other
facilities that exceed immediate local requirements,
thus alleviating short-term financial strains on local
governments;
(3) Authorize the issuance of $580 million in state bonds to
be used for loans to cities and other local governments,
including $190 million for water supply facilities, $190
million for wastewater projects and $200 million for
flood-control facilities; and
(4) Establish a state loan fund to assist farmers with the
purchase of water-efficient irrigation equipment, and
provide state financing for agricultural water
conservation research programs; and
WHEREAS, state legislation that will be implemented upon
adoption of Amendments 1 and 2 would enhance the preservation of
the state's water resources by establishing safeguards for bays
and estuarine areas; providing incentives for water conservation;
and by authorizing the creation of voter-approved mechanisms to
protect underground water supplies; and
WHEREAS, voter adoption of Amendments 1 and 2 is essential to
insure the state's future well being and the continued prosperity
of Texas cities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the
City of La Porte endorses Amendments No. 1 and 2, and urges their
adoption by the citizens of La Porte at the November 5
constitutional amendments election.
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Resolution 85-17, Page 2
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 14th day of October, 1985.
CITY OF LA PORTE
By !f~~?I?(~~
Nor an Malone, Mayor
ATTEST:
(I~~
City Secretary