RE 2013-0306.1
RESOLUTION NO. 2013-0306.1
A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE
OF THE STATE OF TEXAS TO AMEND HOUSE BILL 14 AND SENATE BILL 14 AS
INTRODUCED AND CURRENTLY BEING CONSIDERED IN THE CURRENT
SESSION OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE, WHICH WOULD ALTER THE PROCESS
OF ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION BY CITIES AND COUNTIES,
AND WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE ITEMS REQURIED TO BE SHOWN ON
BALLOTS FOR BOND ELECTIONS AND CREATE INCREASED ONGOING
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS REGARDING INDEBTEDNESS.
WHEREAS,
many Texas Municipalities, Counties, School Districts and other taxing entities,
including the City of Coppell, encourage and practice methods to provide a great deal of financial
information readily accessible to their respective citizens; and
WHEREAS,
the City of Coppell has been recognized by the Texas Comptroller’s Financial
Transparency Program; and
WHEREAS,
the city applauds and encourages efforts to provide citizens with relevant data
regarding public debt and other financial matters; and
WHEREAS,
the city's goal regarding municipal elections is above all to encourage voter
participation and provide the necessary information for an informed decision; and
WHEREAS,
House Bill 14 and Senate Bill 14 as drafted would create confusion and
perhaps discourage voter participation; and
WHEREAS,
simplification of the requirements proposed in House Bill 14 and Senate Bill 14
with the voting experience in mind is encouraged.
WHEREAS,
current petition requirements have proven to provide voters with an
adequate and achievable threshold in the event referendums related to proposed debt issuances
are desired by citizens; and
WHEREAS,
House Bill 14 and Senate Bill 14 as drafted would increase difficulty in the issuance
of certificates of obligation, which would likely result in higher financing costs, particularly for utility
system or other enterprise fund improvements; and
WHEREAS,
House Bill 14 and Senate Bill 14 would create unfunded mandates and redundancy
for local governments as much of the proposed required information is already provided by the
municipalities as required by other statutes; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 14 and Senate Bill 14 would seek to further remove"local control" from
Counties and Municipalities desiring to issue short term debt as determined to be necessary when interest
rates are beneficial as the proposed requirement to have the Bond Review Board provide an additional
step of review over and above the Attorney General's review will lengthen the time necessary to gain
approval; and
WHEREAS, the City of Coppell encourages the legislature when reviewing language relative
to House Bill 14 and Senate Bill 14 to consider what data is pertinent for inclusion on a ballot and what
language may be more appropriate for inclusion on the city's website or in any publication provided by
the city for voter consideration.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF COPPELL, TEXAS does hereby call on the Texas Legislature to consider the impact that many of
the proposed changes in House Bill 14 and Senate Bill 14, though well-intentioned, would have upon the
ability of a city and county to manage the needs of its citizens at the lowest possible cost and through the
deliberative process of locally elected officials.
DULY PASSED by the City Council of the city of Coppell, Texas, this the 6th day of March,
2013.
APP OVE 1 .
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REN °ELBO H I NT, MAYOR
ATTEST:
HRISTEL PET INOS, CITY SE ETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
(1170-
ROBERT E. HAGER, CIT ATTORNEY