HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 85-19 � . _.
R 19-85
A RESOLUTION
SUPPORTING ADOPTION OF
TI� NEW TEXAS WATER PLAN
AT THE NOVF,MBER 5, 1985
CONST I TUT IONAL AMQ�TDMEI�ITS ELECT ION
Wf�REAS, rapid economic expansion and population g..r.o�ath are t�Ying the
state's existing water resources to their limits; and tc meet the current
and mid-term needs of the state will require the construction ai 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
WHER�AS, the cumulative cost of the water resources 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
Wf�RFAS, 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
Wf�REAS, the new Texas Water Plan will appear on the November 5, 1985
statewide constitutional amendments ballot as Amendments 1 and 2, 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 facil-
ities that exceed immediate local requirements, thus allev-
iating short-term financial strains on local governments;
(3) Authorize the issuance of_ $580 million in state bonds to be
used for loans to r.ities and other local governments, including
$190 million for watnr_ supply facilities, $190 million for
wastewater projer.ts and $200 million for flood-control
facilities; ��nd
(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
Wf�REAS, 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
V�REAS, voter adoption of Amendments 1 and 2 is essential to insure the
state's future wellbeing and the continued prosperity of Texas cities;
NOW, TI�REFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Council
of the City of Friendswood endorses Amendments No. 1 and 2, and urges
their adoption by the citizens of Friendswood at the November 5 constitu-
tional amendments election.
Adopted this 7th day of October , 1985.
Mayor lph L. Lowe
A
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Del ris M I e , i
City Secreta