HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2026-058 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-058
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND
HILLS, TEXAS, ADOPTING THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS' 2027
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM; DIRECTING THE MAYOR, CITY MANAGER OR
DESIGNEE TO COMMUNICATE WITH LEGISLATORS IN ACCORDANCE THE
CITY'S 2027 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM DURING THE 90TH SESSION OF THE
TEXAS LEGISLATURE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of North Richland Hills, Texas, (the "City") is a home rule city acting
under its Charter adopted by the electorate pursuant to Article XI, Section 5
of the Texas Constitution and Chapter 9 of the Texas Local Government
Code; and
WHEREAS, the State Legislature is preparing for the 90th Texas Legislative Session;
and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that many issues affecting local government will be
considered during the 90th Texas Legislative Session; and
WHEREAS, the City Council Legislative Subcommittee and the Legislative Task Force prepared
the recommended 2027 Legislative Program (Exhibit A) attached to this
Resolution to reflect the priorities and positions of the City of North Richland
Hills; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that such 2027 Legislative Program is in the best
interest of the City and the North Richland Hills community and should be
adopted and communicated to the Texas Legislature; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires that the Mayor, City Manager or designee take
action with regard to the 2027 Legislative Program as directed by this
Resolution.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS,
TEXAS, THAT:
SECTION 1. The 2027 Legislative Program that is attached to this Resolution is hereby
adopted and approved as the 2027 Legislative Program for the City of North
Richland Hills.
SECTION 2. The Mayor, City Manager or designee are directed to communicate the items
included in the 2027 Legislative Program to members of the Texas
Legislature, in general, and to the appropriate legislative committees,
committee members, and others as bills are filed and move through the 90th
session of the Texas Legislature.
SECTION 3. All Resolutions of the City Council of the City in conflict herewith are hereby
Resolution 2026-058
Page 1 of 2
amended or repealed to the extent of such conflict.
SECTION 4. This Resolution shall take effect and be in full force and effect from and
after the date of its adoption, and it is so resolved.
PASSED AND APPROVED on the 9th day of November, 2026.
CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS
J McCarty, Mayor
ATTEST: ®�y , L® °�%
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Alicia Richardson,
CitySecretary/Chief Governs �e°Officer
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Bradley A. n erle, City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
Paulette Hartman, City Manager
Resolution 2026-058
Page 2 of 2
Resolution No.2026-058
Exhibit A
Page 1 of 7
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Resolution No. 2026-058
Exhibit A
Page 2 of 7
CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS
2027 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
CITY FRAMEWORK & OBJECTIVES
VISION & MISSION STRATEGIC GOALS
Vision:To be the standard for transparent, 0 Drive operational excellence into every'
resident-focused,fiscally-responsible, area:
business-welcoming municipal government in0 Become easier to do business with.
Texas. 9 Steward the public's money.well.
0 Be a great place to work.
Mission:To promote an exceptional quality of Revitalize neighborhoods& commercial
life for our community by being resident- corridors.
focused,fiscally responsible, and business-
Engage residents to enhance connection
friendly.
with the city and their neighbors.
0 Improve safety,security, and
infrastructure every day.
GENERAL POLICY STATEMENTS
STATEMENT OF PRESERVATION
As a general policy, the City,of North Richland Hills seeks to preserve local, home-rule authority to
govern city affairs. Thus, the City will not support legislation that could harm the health, safety,
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and welfare of its citizens or erode the City's ability to provide for the security and quality of life of our
community.
STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
Likewise,the City supports any legislation that advances its authority to conduct the public's business
or that improves the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. The City supports legislation designed:'
to responsibly and fairly generate sufficient revenues to provide for necessary services. Lastly, the
City supports legislation that responsibly promotes and increases economic development or that is
designed to improve the local economy or create local jobs.
Resolution No. 2026-058
Exhibit A
Page 3 of 7
COALITIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS
'When necessary,the City will:form strategic partnerships with other cities and counties Th.e City will
'also work'with other local political subdivisions;including hospital district and the school district,
whenm:commonalities exist CityAdditional) ,the will work'in coordination with or an nations such as
the Texas Municipal League, North Central Texas Council of Governments, North Texas Commission
and Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition when their adopted positions are in line,.,with the
legislative objectives and goals of the City r The formation of strategic partnerships.and coordinated:
efforts is intended to provide the; City and its residents with.a stronger presence in,;the,legislative;;
process.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS
The fundamental goal of the City of North Richland Hills' legislative activities is to produce positive
outcomes for our citizens by preserving the safety, security and quality of life of our community.
Numerous proposals to be considered by the Texas Legislature will have the potential to impact the
ability of the City to carry out its mission. By taking a proactive role in the legislative process,the City is
accepting its responsibility to ensure that the citizens of North Richland Hills can continue to enjoy a safe
community with the quality of life they expect and support.
As the next legislative session begins, the City officials of North Richland Hills will rely on the following
core guiding principles at the heart of every decision. These principles establish the framework for
evaluating proposed state legislation and directing all municipal advocacy efforts throughout the
session:
1 Government Closest to the People: Cities represent theµlevel of government closest to the pteople.
They bear primary responsibility for the po ice response,,fire protection, providing water, treating
sewer, maintaining°city streets, and protecting*property,;-rights thus ensuring citizens' health and
safety. Cities must have the abilityto generate a predictable and sufficient level of revenue to provide a
local services. We will oppose any legislation that reduces our ability to,govern our own local affairs
and generate sufficient revenues to provide:local services.
2.Oppositionto Unfunded Mandates: Unfunded mandates impose,regulations on local governments
without providing sufficient funds to comply with the regulation The City will oppose any legislation
that imposes any state mandates that do not provide for a commensurate level of compensation
3 Preserve Quality.of Life: The City will oppose legislation that erodes;the authority to govern our:;,
own local affairs and maintain the quality of life of our community including.any legislation that places
further limitations on city land use regulation including zoning, lot sizes, density, building codes or
Resolution No. 2026-058
Exhibit A
Page 4 of 7
requiring municipalities to allow multi-family housing by right in zoning districts that do not already ">
make
such'allowances.
Other issues will arise as the legislative session progresses. If an issue arises that is not addressed in
this document,the City urges legislators to keep these guiding principles in mind as they make
important decisions concerning our future.
PRIORITY LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
1. Preserve Local Authority&Self-Governance
Texas communities are inherently diverse, each shaped by distinct economic, geographic and local
priorities that state level,one size fits all mandates cannot address. Effective governance, responsive
to the people we serve, relies on local flexibility. As the elected official closest to the people,
municipal officials are elected to reflect community values and solve local challenges. Preserving
local self-determination ensures that residents retain the right to direct their city's future and hold
their local elected leaders accountable. Therefore, the City will:
• [OPPOSE] Legislation that would erode municipal authority in any way, impose an unfunded
mandate or otherwise be detrimental to cities including any legislation that would:
o Preempt local home-rule city authority.
o Impose further revenue or expenditure caps of any type.
o Erode the ability of a city to issue debt.
o Erode municipal authority in development matters.
o Prohibit or limit the ability of cities to advocate for local needs with legislators.
o Erode municipal authority to manage and control public rights-of-way.
• o Eliminate any of the current uniform election dates.
• [OPPOSE] Legislation that would erode local authority to manage its own finances including the
setting of appropriate fees for certain services,transferring enterprise fund revenues to the
general fund for indirect cost allocations or payments in lieu of taxes or any other lawful
purpose.
2. Preserve Local Revenue Sources
Cities are responsible for providing services that allow residents to feel safe, secure, and to enjoy
their quality of life. Cities already face challenges providing all the services that residents expect and
demand. It is vital that cities have reliable sources of revenue in order to provide these services.
Therefore,the City will:
• [OPPOSE]Any limitations on cities' ability to generate necessary revenue to fund city services.
Resolution No.2026-058
Exhibit A
Page 5 of 7
• [OPPOSE] Expenditure caps of any type.
• [OPPOSE] Further caps on revenues.
• [OPPOSE] Further property tax exemptions.
• [OPPOSE] Reducing appraisal caps or limiting the ability of an appraisal district to appraise
properties annually.
• [OPPOSE] Limitations on types and uses of incentives for economic development.
• [SUPPORT] Legislation that prohibits housing finance corporations, housing authorities and
public facilities corporations from operating in the City or taking action that would remove
property from the tax rolls without approval of the city council.
• [SUPPORT] Legislation that would cap or reduce state fees on municipal court convictions.
3. Preserve Local Control of Development, Land Use, Planning&Zoning, and Building Codes
Zoning regulations and land use planning are important and historic tools used by cities to protect
the health and safety of residents, as well as to maintain owners' investment in property and the
quality of life of the community. Land use planning and zoning provide stability to a community so
that current and future property owners know they can invest in a community with some assurance
that conditions will not significantly change without some form of due process. It is imperative that
cities retain their authority to manage development and to zone parcels of land within their city
limits. Therefore,the City will:
• [OPPOSE] Erosion of municipal authority related to zoning, building codes, building materials
regulations, short-term rentals, and minimum lot sizes.
• [OPPOSE] Reducing the population threshold for conversion of commercial properties to multi-
family residences by right.
• [OPPOSE] Reducing the population threshold for state mandated minimum lot sizes.
• [OPPOSE] Limitations on economic development incentives available to a city or that would
limit the use of incentives by a city.
• [SUPPORT] Beneficial amendments to HB 2439 (2019), related to the regulation of building
materials.
• [SUPPORT] Legislation that ensures cities maintain their authority to determine lot sizes,
parking and density requirements.
4. Preserve Local Authority to Issue Debt
Cities are responsible for the construction and maintenance of infrastructure within our city limits.
These projects are often large and costly, prohibiting them from being fully cash funded. It is critical
that cities have the ability to finance these types of projects using a number of funding mechanisms
including the issuance of debt.Therefore,the City will:
Resolution No. 2026-058
Exhibit A
Page 6 of 7
• [OPPOSE] Restrictions on our city's ability to issue debt in any form.
• [OPPOSE] Legislation that would increase voter approval thresholds for debt obligations as this
limits the city's ability to plan for economic and community development including the repair,
replacement and extension of critical infrastructure, street repair and maintenance, public
safety equipment and long-term provision of water and ability to treat sewage.
• [SUPPORT] Legislation that provides funding for water planning and development..
• [SUPPORT] Legislation that provides for efficient transportation and mobility for the safe
movement of people and goods.
• [SUPPORT] Legislation that promotes reliable energy development and delivery.
5. Preserve Local Authority to Maintain Public Safety and Quality of Life
Legislators should resist all efforts to erode a city's ability to effectively maintain the safety of its
citizens. Public safety is a fundamental service that cities provide their residents and goes beyond
just fire and police protection. When unnecessary mandates and limitations are imposed, they
present undue hardships on a city's ability to protect its citizens.Therefore,the City will:
• [OPPOSE] Unfunded mandates for public safety.
• [SUPPORT] State of Texas providing full funding to schools for armed officers at every campus
as required by state law.
• [SUPPORT] Legislation that would provide funding for additional grants to improve and
enhance public safety.
Resolution No.2026-058
CONTACTS Exhibit A
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GENERAL INFORMATION CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
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City of North Richland Hills 'Paulette Hartman<* Jack McCarty*
4301 City Pont P 0 Box City Manager , Mayor i.
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820609 (817j 427 6007 4 ':': f<
(817) 4.27 600
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North Richland Hills;TX 76180 pahartman@nrhtx co• rn= - Imccarty@nrhtx.com ri ,; i
Ph 817 427 6000 F
(. ) *Primary Staff Legislative *Prim 5 t
www-n rhtx com Contact .
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Trudy Lewis Cecille Delaney Place 1 t,
Assistant City Manager (Brianne Goetz Place 2 :u f
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(817)427 Y6005 i 4 Danny Roberts Place 3
:tjlewis@nrhtx.com Matt Blake Place 4
Billy Parks Place 5
,Caroline Waggoner � Russ Mitchell Place 6 �Y
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Assistant City,Manager
' Kelvin`Deupree Place E7 'r
(817)427=6006'
<� (Mayor;Pro Tem) ' �
ciwaggoner@nrhtx com