1985-038RESOLUTION 85-38
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 estab-
lishing 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 Amendents 1 and 2 is essential to insure
the state's future well being and the continued prosperity of
Texas cities;
NOW THERE BE -IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of South -
lake endorses Amendments No. 1 and 2, and urges their adoption by
the citizens of Southlake at the November 5 constitutional amendments
election.
Adopted this 1st day of October, 1985.
Approv
ATTE
4. City Secretary