HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2025-20_Opposition to Senate Bill 9RESOLUTION NO. 2025-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, EXPRESSING
OPPOSITION TO SENATE BILL 9, AND URGING THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO REJECT THIS AND
SIMILAR MEASURES IN THEIR CURRENT FORM
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) proposes to lower the revenue multiplier in the voter -approval tax rate
calculation for a city or county with certain populations from 3.5 percent to 2.5 percent, meaning that for
roughly the 113 most populous cities in the state, the voter -approval tax rate calculation would be lowered
and an automatic election on the November uniform election date would be required for any adopted tax
rate exceeding the voter -approval rate; and
WHEREAS, SB 9 proposes to further limit cities' ability to raise necessary revenue without voter approval;
and
WHEREAS, SB 9 takes an overly narrow approach that will have unintended and harmful consequences for
cities across the state, particularly in areas of public safety, infrastructure, and community services; and
WHEREAS, property tax constraints on cities can drive the creation of more MUDS and special districts,
ironically shifting the tax burden to less accountable and less transparent entities with higher tax rates and
WHEREAS, SB 9 presumes that city property tax rates are a primary driver of rising property tax burdens
across Texas, but in many communities Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) and Special Purpose Districts
impose significantly higher tax rates than general-purpose municipalities. MUD tax rates often exceed
$1.00 per $100 valuation, while many cities maintain rates well below that level, despite the rising cost of
service delivery and inflationary pressures which generally exceeds the already restrictive 3.5% voter
approval rate; and
WHEREAS, SB 9, if it becomes law, would be particularly dangerous in the context of public safety funding,
as police, fire, EMS, and 911 communications are core municipal responsibilities and that represents 30%
of La Porte's budget. With cities already operating near the margin of voter -approval tax rates, SB 9 could
force reductions in emergency response times, recruitment and retention of first responders, and capital
replacement for critical equipment.; and
WHEREAS, while the City of La Porte supports meaningful tax relief for citizens, SB 9 presents significant
financial and operational risks to the City of La Porte and its citizens, warranting strong opposition.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. That the City Council of the City of La Porte, Texas, formally opposes SB 9 and urges the Texas
Legislature to reject this and similar measures in their current form.
SECTION 2. That copies of this Resolution be forwarded to Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor
Dan Patrick, Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows, members of the Texas Senate and House of
Representatives, the Harris County Commissioners Court, and any other relevant stakeholders.
SECTION 3. The City Council officially finds, determines, recites, and declares that a sufficient written
notice of the date, hour, place and subject of this meeting of the City Council was posted at a place
convenient to the public at the City Hall of the City for the time required by law preceding this meeting, as
required by the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code; and that this meeting has been
open to the public as required by law at all times during which this resolution and the subject matter
thereof has been discussed, considered and formally acted upon. The City Council further ratifies,
approves and confirms such written notice and the contents and posting thereof.
SECTION 4. This resolution shall be in effect from and after its passage and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this, the 11th day of August 202S.
CITY OF LA PORTE,
Rick Helton, M
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Chuck Engelken, May r ro Tem, Councilperson District 2
Brandon Lunskikl, CouncilpeC�qn At -Large, Position A
'rent McCaulley, Council pe7s�rge, Position B
Mandi Williams, Councilperson District 1
Bill Bentley,-Cou erson ' rict 3
Robi'rt Guerra, Councilperson District 4
Jay ifin, C ncilp n istrict 5
Robbie McLarrin, Councilperson District 6
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
pV LA�g,�Tdh.
Woodward, City 11
ej Clark Askins, City Attorney
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