Res 144-85 10/1/1985RESOLUTION NO . / f5
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
wastewater 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 governments 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 methodology 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
governments ;
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
conservation 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 authorizing 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 WICHITA FALLS , TEXAS , THAT :
The City Council endorses Amendments No . 1 and No . 2 , and
urges their adoption by the citizens of Wichita Falls at the
November 5 constitutional amendments election .
PASSED AND APPROVED this the /4Z/ day of E'L. ZAE1
1985 .
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A Y 0 R
ATTEST :
City Clerk
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