HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-1234 10-10-2006RESOLUTION NO. 06 -1234
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF EULESS, TEXAS
ENDORSING THE CONCEPT OF LOCAL OPTION FUNDING OF
PUBLIC TRANSIT IN THE REGION BY EXEMPTING AN AMOUNT
EQUAL TO THE LOCALLY AUTHORIZED TRANSIT SALES TAX FROM
THE 2% LOCAL SALES TAX CAP.
WHEREAS, the City of Euless is firmly committed to supporting regional efforts
toward addressing the mobility and air quality needs of its citizens and for future
generations; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Euless believes that the best approach to achieving the
goal of providing additional funding capacity to expand rapid transit in the region is by
exempting an amount equal to the locally authorized metropolitan transit sales tax from
the 2% sales tax cap; and,
WHEREAS, among the existing transit authorities in the region - The T, DART,
and DCTA - there exists expertise and evidence of cooperation on current and future
rail projects that demonstrates their ability to successfully expand rail transit in the
region; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of the City of Euless want to ensure that the quality of
life remains high in the region and our economy strong and competitive, and transit has
an important role in achieving this goal as the population continues to grow toward eight
million in the very near future.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF EULESS, TEXAS:
SECTION 1
THAT the City of Euless hereby agrees and supports the "Joint Recommendation
for Regional Rail in North Central Texas" as put forth by the T, DART, and DCTA on the
regional transit issue in Exhibit 1 and strongly urges the 80th Texas Legislature to pass
legislation exempting an amount equal to the locally authorized transit sales tax from
the 2% local sales tax cap in the 9 counties of North Texas that are designated by the
Environmental Protection Agency as "non- attainment" for federal air quality standards.
APPROVED at a regular meeting of the Euless City Council on the 10th day of
October, 2006, by a vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
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Ma rY Lieh, Mayor
Susan Crim, RMC, City Secretary
EXHIBIT 1
DCTA
The
X
JOINT RECOMMENDATION FOR REGIONAL RAIL IN NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS
The three existing transit authorities support expanding meaningful public transit in North Texas through
our existing organizations. Such transit authorities support the Statement of Principles for the
Implementation ofa Regional Rail System in North Central Texas agreed to in August 2004 by regional
leadership under the following conditions:
• New regional rail projects will require new sources of funding. The State authorized Sales and
Use Tax has been the primary means of funding public transit service within the region, and the
magnitude of the required funding will most likely dictate that sales tax should be the source of
finds for new regional rail projects. However, most cities in the region do not have the ability to
fund public transit services because sales and use tax capacity has been committed to other uses.
• The three existing transit authorities support local option funding of public transit in the region by
exempting an amount equal to the locally authorized transit sales tax from the 2% cap in the
following counties:
o Tarrant
o Parker
o Johnson
o Denton
o Wise
o Dallas
o Collin
o Rockwall
o Ellis
• This action would provide an equitable means of allowing "non- transit" jurisdictions to determine
as a local option whether or not they would choose to fund public transit, while allowing
jurisdictions that currently support public transit to determine whether they would choose to
allocate sales tax capacity for non - transit uses (up to the existing cap).
• We support a determination of citizens' support ofa regional rail system outside the existing
transit authorities' territory or service urea, and inside The T's service area.
• Formation ofa 4th transit entity is not recommended.
DCTA, ClTmairman
The T, Chair of the Board
r DC, PA, Executive Director
e . President/Executive Director