HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 06-56 Supporting a Local Option Sales Tax to Fund Regional Rail in North Central TexasTOWN OF WESTLAKE
RESOLUTION NO. 06-56
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE,
TEXAS, SUPPPORTING A LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX TO FUND REGIONAL RAIL
IN NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS.
WHEREAS, the Town of Westlake supports regional efforts to address the mobility and
air quality needs of the citizens of North Central Texas; and
WHEREAS, implementing the passenger rail service component of the Metropolitan
Transportation Plan of the Regional Transportation Council is essential in addressing the mobility
and air quality needs of the citizens of North Central Texas; and
WHEREAS, local elected officials and transportation professionals in North Central
Texas have studied the funding options for implementing the regional rail plan and determined
that the sales tax is the best feasible means of providing the needed funding; and
WHEREAS, most local governments in North Central Texas have no capacity remaining
within the two cent cap on local sales tax without the Texas Legislature providing some relief
from the current cap; and
WHEREAS, Texas Regional Transportation Coalition (TRIC) believes that the North
Central Texas regional rail plan can best be implemented by the Texas Legislature exempting
from the two -cent cap on local sales tax an amount equal to the locally authorized transit sales tax
and authorizing local governments to conduct a local option election to enact a sales tax for transit
or other lawful purposes; and
WHEREAS, TRTC believes that such action by the Texas Legislature is important to the
economic vitality of Texas and the quality of life of Texans.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE
TOWN OF WESTLAKE, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. That the 80' Texas Legislature is respectfully urged to exempt from the
two -cent cap on local sales tax an amount equal to the locally authorized transit sales tax and
authorize local governments to conduct a local option election to enact a sales tax for transit or
other lawful purposes.
SECTION 2. That the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Westlake, Texas, joins the
Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition (TRTC) in supporting the joint recommendation of
DART, DCTA, and The T for regional rail in North Central Texas.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE TOWN OF
WESTLAKE, TEXAS, ON THIS 13TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2006.
ATTEST:
Scott Bradley, Mayor
i er R. Awtry, Acting Town Secretary Trent O. Petty, Town anager
TARRANT
REGIONAL
TRANSPORTATION
COALITION
1509B South University Drive, Suite 246 • Fort Worth, Texas 76107 • 817-850-7940 • 817-850-7944 fax
October 5, 2006
Mr. Trent Petty, City Manager
3 Village Circle #207, Solana
Town of Westlake, TX 76262
Dear Mr. Petty:
Because of our ever-growing population and roadway congestion, we are going to make a major push in
the upcoming legislative session to seek some relaxation of the current cap on local sales tax to provide
funding to construct and operate the regional rail component of the metropolitan transportation plan. As
you can see from the enclosed resolutions, the Tarrant County Mayors' Council and the Tarrant Regional
Transportation Coalition both passed resolutions urging the 801h Texas Legislature to exempt from the
two -cent cap on local sales tax an amount equal to the locally authorized transit sales tax and to authorize
local governments to conduct a local option election to enact a sales tax for transit or other lawful
purposes. We respectfully urge you to do the same.
Whether you pass the form of the resolution used by the Mayors' Council or the one used by TRTC is
unimportant; you can write your own if you prefer. The point is simply to show strong support for the
Legislature providing relief from the local sales tax cap and for authorizing local option elections to fund
rail service. The wording "or other lawful purposes" is included to enable those cities who have already
enacted a local sales tax for transit to enact a 4A or 4B sales tax if they so choose.
Please feel free to contact TRTC Executive Director Vic Suhm if you have any questions or need
additional information [vic@ntc-dfw.org, 972-621-0400 ext 120 office, 214-641-3341 cell or 817-488-
7374 home]. Please send us a copy of your adopted resolution. Thanks very much for your cooperation
and assistance.
Sincerely,
Ob&J-4 Mv�
Oscar Trevino
Chairman
Arlington Chamber of Commerce, City of Arlington, City of Azle, City of Bedford, City of Benbrook, City of Blue Mound, Blue Star Investments (Dallas
Cowboys), City of Burleson, BNSF, Cantey & Hanger, Carter & Burgess, City of Colleyville, City of Crowley, Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation, Denton
County, Denton County Transportation Authority, City of Euless, Town of Flower Mound, City of Forest Hill, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, City of Fort Worth, Freese & Nichols, City of Grand Prairie, City of
Grapevine, Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors, Halff Associates, City of Haltom City, City of Haslet, Hicks Holdings (Texas Rangers), Hillwood
Properties, City of Hudson Oaks, HEB Chamber of Commerce, City of Hurst, Johnson County, City of Keller, City of Kennedale, Kimley Horn, City of Lake
Worth, LopezGarcia Group, City of Mansfield, Northeast Tarrant Chamber of Commerce, City of North Richland Hills, Town of Pantego, City of Richland Hills,
S & B Infrastructure, Ltd., City of Saginaw, City of Southlake, Tarrant County, Tarrant County College, Teague Nall and Perkins, The T, Turner Collie &
Braden, City of Watauga, City of Weatherford, Town of Westlake, City of Westover Hills, City of Westworth Village, City of White Settlement, Wise County