DEPARTMENTS: Office of EastPoint and Real Estate, Parks and Recreation Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Etienne, Xavier Urrutia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT: Renewal of Edwards Aquifer Protection Program and Linear Creekway Parks Development Program
SUMMARY:
City Staff will provide a briefing on the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program and Linear Creekway Parks Development Program, Sales Tax Venue Projects under Local Government Code Section 334. The briefing will allow City Council discussion on the reauthorization of these programs and future use of the 1/8-cent sales tax currently allocated to fund these venue projects.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In May of 2000, voters approved the first parks and aquifer protection program, a 1/8-cent sales tax venue up to $45 million, for the acquisition of lands and watershed protection over the Edwards Aquifer and for the development of Linear Creekway Parks. That program, referred to as Proposition Three, ran from 2000 through 2005.
In May of 2005, the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program (Proposition One) and Linear Creekway Parks Development Program (Proposition Two), were placed on the ballot as separate election items. Both initiatives were passed by voters, with the Edwards Program at $90 million and the Linear Creekway Program at $45 million.
In November of 2010, San Antonio voters passed an extension of the venue projects, again authorizing the collection of the 1/8-cent sales tax to be used toward aquifer protection and Linear Creekway Parks development.
The purpose of the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program (Proposition One) is to obtain property rights by fee-simple purchase, conservation easements or donations of land over the sensitive zones of the Edwards Aquifer to protect the quality and quantity of water recharging into the aquifer for the protection of San Antonio's primary drinking water source.
The purpose of the Linear Creekway Parks Development Program (Proposition Two) is to utilize property along San Antonio's waterways to provide outdoor recreation to San Antonio residents and visitors. Program funds are utilized primarily for the acquisition of floodplain land along San Antonio creeks and rivers and build multi-use, paved trails to be included the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System.
The scope and purpose of these programs are legally defined and limited by the terms found in the authorizing legislation (Texas Local Government Code ยง334) and the language for the respective ballot measures.
ISSUE:
City Staff will provide a briefing on the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program and Linear Creekway Parks Development Program, Sales Tax Venue Projects under Local Government Code Section 334. The briefing will allow City Council discussion on the reauthorization of these programs and future use of the 1/8-cent sales tax currently allocated to fund these venue projects.
City staff and the Conservation Advisory Board will present information on the status of the 1/8-cent sales tax venue funded programs, including background information and considerations for the programs' renewal.
During its monthly meeting on September 24, 2014, the Conservation Advisory Board (CAB), voted in favor of a resolution recommending support of a voter initiative to continue the collection of sales tax funds for the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program.
Potential next steps for City Council to consider in extending sales tax initiatives for the Edwards and Creekways Programs include:
1. Whether or not to renew the venue projects.
2. What timeline to consider if it is decided to renew the venue projects
a. May 2015 special election
b. November 2015 special election
3. Funding levels for the venue projects
a. Maintain current funding levels for each venue
b. Assign different funding levels
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
There is no recommendation associated with this briefing item at this time.