RE 2002-10-22.4A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS
RESOLUTION NO. ~
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COPPELL,
TEXAS SUPPORTING NECESSARY LEGISLATION AND DALLAS AREA
RAPID TRANSIT (DART) POLICY CHANGES TO ALLOW EXPANSION
AND EXTENSION OF DART SERVICES TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
JURISDICTIONS THROUGH LOCAL OPTION CITIZEN ELECTIONS
PLEDGING PAYMENTS TO THE DART SYSTEM IN AN AMOUNT
EQUIVALENT TO A ONE-CENT SALES TAX.
WHEREAS, mobility throughout the North Texas area is a key element of a continued
positive quality of life and economic viability; and
WHEREAS, the City of Coppell finds that to maintain mobility, enhance the quality of life for
citizens, promote economic development, and address issues associated with reducing roadway
congestion and achieving federal air quality mandates quality transit services must be available; and
WHEREAS, such transit and mobility services provided by DART can contribute to achieving
the above cited elements; and
WHEREAS, current State law and DART policy prevents extension and expansion of DART
services to other areas unless that area has the capability to implement a one-cent sales tax within the
existing State cap on sales tax of 8~¼ cent; and
WHEREAS, the benefits of extension of DART services to areas in the future enhance the
entire North Texas area.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS URGES THAT:
The State Legislature and DART provide necessary legislation and policy changes to allow a
city to become a transitional member of DART with a pledge of the equivalent of one-cent
sales tax of city-secured funding that is from non-State and/or non-federal funds. Such
"membership" should require a citizen vote and a binding commitment to DART to match
existing requirements on "member" cities as to any future withdrawal by the city and continued
funding to DART on debt related issues.
Legislation should provide a means for a city having adopted an economic development sales
tax to join a metropolitan transportation authority by public election and dedicating the
required sales tax to the authority upon satisfying its pervious tax obligations or dedicating
alternative funding equal to the required sales tax.
o
Upon adoption by a super majority of the current thirteen "member" DART cities such a
proposal should become a priority for legislative action.
Copies of this Resolution shall be forwarded to the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition,
the DART Board, and appropriate officials at the State level.
DULY PASSED by the City Council of the City of Coppell, Texas this ~. day of
October 2002.
APPROVED:
Candy Sheehan, Mayor
ATTEST:
Libby Ball, City Secretary
A P P~~RM:
Robert E. Hager, C~Attorney