HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 121316-D - 85th Legislative AgendaRESOLUTION NO. I oa13Il0-D
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN CITY COUNCIL
REQUESTING THE MEMBERS OF THE 85th LEGISLATIVE SESSION
OF THE STATE OF TEXAS TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT
PROVIDES A FAIR AND EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF THE
SPORTING GOODS SALES TAX REVENUE FOR LOCAL AND STATE
PARKS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department ("TPWD") administers the Texas
Recreation & Parks Account Local Park Grant Program ("TRPA") and the Large County
and Municipality Recreation and Parks Account (Urban Account) and manages 95 State
parks, natural areas and historical sites in Texas; and
WHEREAS, TPWD has separate accounts in their general revenue fund referred to as
the TRPA and Urban Account for the purpose of providing matching grants to political
subdivisions for parks and recreation projects, and for outreach grants to introduce new
populations to outdoor experiences; and
WHEREAS, the matching grants provided by the TPWD are utilized for the planning,
acquisition, and development of local park, recreation and open space areas to be
owned and maintained by political subdivisions; and
WHEREAS, funds granted to political subdivisions under the TRPA and Urban Account
guidelines have funded 1,668 projects of the 3,525 submitted over 30 years delivering
over $800 million to the local Texas economy; and
WHEREAS, political subdivisions throughout the State of Texas depend on grants from
TPWD through the TRPA to stimulate the acquisition and development of parks and
recreational areas for the benefit and enjoyment of their citizenry; and
WHEREAS, the TRPA, Urban Account, and State parks are funded from sales tax on
sporting goods and that the development of new parks stimulates the purchase of
sporting goods; and
WHEREAS, the TRPA, Urban Account, and State parks are partially funded from
federal dollars used for parks, recreation, open space, trails, and tourism from the
United States Department of the Interior Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF),
the Sport Fish Restoration Boat Access program and the United States Department of
Transportation Recreation Trails; and
WHEREAS, the maintenance and improvements of State park and historic sites and the
addition of new parks is a priority to Texans due to the State's expanding population
and extensive tourism industry; and
Resolution No. Q03AP-P
Description: 2017 Legislative Agenda
Date Approved: December 13, 2016
Page 1 oft
WHEREAS, the development of parks encourages and promotes public health,
economic development, job creation, education; corporate relocations, an improved
quality of life, and juvenile crime prevention; and
WHEREAS, funds are needed for major repairs at Local and State parks and for the
acquisition and development of parks and facilities; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of this City Council (County Commission, Limited District
Board or Parks and Recreation Commission, etc.) that a copy of this resolution with
appropriate names affixed be presented to the Governor of Texas and the leadership of
the 85th Texas Legislature.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the City Council request the members of the 85th Legislature of
Texas seek support of legislation that provides a fair and equitable distribution of the
sporting goods sales tax revenue for for Local and State parks and that all funding for
TRPA and Urban Account projects be subject to the established TPWD competitive
scoring system.
RESOLVED this 13th day of December 2016.
ATTEST:
Shelley Now'
City Secreta
APPROVP AS/TO FORM:
Charles McNabb
City Attorney
Resolution No. -ok-3 l(0-0
Description: 2017 Legislative Agenda
Date Approved: December 13, 2016
Page 2 of 2
THE CITY OFGE�:
Dale Ross
Mayor