HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 1985-026
RESOLUTION NO. 85-26
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 born 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
Resolution No. 85-26
Page 2
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 North Richland Hills endorses Amendments No. 1 and 2, and urges
their adoption by the citizens of North Richland Hills at the November 5
constitutional amendments election.
ADOPTED this 14th day of October, 1985.
~~&M
Dan Echols, Mayor
ATTEST:
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City Secretary