R-1985-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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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.