RESO 1985-19 - Water Plan Constitutional AmendsRESOLUTION NO. 85 -19
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 waste-
water 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 govern-
ments 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 methodo-
logy 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 govern-
ments;
(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 conser-
vation 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 establishing safeguards for bays and estuarine
areas; providing incentives for water conservation; and by authoriz-
ing the creation of voter - approved mechanisms to protect underground
water supplies; and
WHEREAS: voter adoption of Amendments 1 and 2 is essential to insure the
state's future well -being and the continued prosperity of Texas
cities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Huntsville,
Texas, that with this Resolution we so endorse Amendments 1 and 2
and urge their adoption by the citizens of Huntsville at the
November 5 constitutional amendments election.
ADOPTED THIS 8th day of October , 1985.
THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS
S aw, City S-cretary
Approved as to form:
:S'
Scott Bounds, City Attorney
Monday, Mayor