DEPARTMENT: EastPoint and Real Estate, Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Etienne, Xavier Urrutia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Reauthorization of 1/8th Sales Tax for Edwards Aquifer & Parks Venue Projects
SUMMARY:
This City Council action will initiate the process for a May 2015 Special Election to renew the Edwards Aquifer Venue Project and the Parks Development and Expansion Venue Project (Linear Creekway Parks Program) at funding levels of $100 million and $80 million, respectively, and reauthorize the current 1/8th cent sales and use tax to fund these venue projects.
To initiate a sales tax election, City Council by Resolution must first designate the programs as Venue Projects under Local Government Code Chapter 334 and submit the Resolution of designation to the State Comptroller. The Resolution would need to be submitted to the State Comptroller by January 30, 2015 to meet the requirements for a May 2015 Special Election.
The City Council Governance Committee will consider this policy issue during its Wednesday, January 28, 2015 meeting.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Currently, the Edwards Aquifer Protection Venue Project encompasses the acquisition of land or conservation easements over sensitive lands of the Edwards Aquifer recharge and contributing zones. The Parks Development and Expansion Venue Project includes the acquisition of open space and development of linear parks along the Leon Creek, Salado Creek, Medina River, San Antonio River, and tributaries such as the Apache, Alazan, Culebra, Huesta, Huebner, Lorence, Martinez, Olmos, and San Pedro Creeks.
In 2000 the voters approved a 1/8th cent sales and use tax venue program within one proposition to collect $45 million for the purpose of acquiring sensitive lands over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge and Contributing Zones as well as providing $20 million for land acquisitions, design, and construction of hike and bike trail system...
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