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RESOLUTION NO. _____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF _______________ CITY COUNCIL REQUESTING THE MEMBERS OF THE 84th LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT INCREASES FUNDING FOR THE TEXAS RECREATION & PARKS ACCOUNT AND LARGE COUNTY AND MUNICIPALITY RECREATION AND PARKS ACCOUNT LOCAL PARK GRANT PROGRAMS, AND THE TEXAS STATE PARK SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (“TPWD”) administers the Texas Recreation & Parks Account Local Park Grant Program (“TRPA”) and the Large County and Municipality Recreation and Parks Account (Urban Account) and manages 94 State parks and historical sites in Texas; and
WHEREAS, TPWD has separate accounts in their general revenue fund referred to as the TRPA and Urban Account for the purpose of providing matching grants to political subdivisions for parks and recreation projects, and for outreach grants to introduce new populations to outdoor experiences; and
WHEREAS, the matching grants provided by the TPWD are utilized for the planning, acquisition, and development of local park, recreation and open space areas to be owned and maintained by political subdivisions; and
WHEREAS, funds granted to political subdivisions under the TRPA and Urban Account guidelines have funded 1629 projects of the 3,470 submitted over 30 years delivering over $800 million to the local Texas economy; and
WHEREAS, political subdivisions throughout the State of Texas depend on grants from TPWD through the TRPA to stimulate the acquisition and development of parks and recreational areas for the benefit and enjoyment of their citizenry; and
WHEREAS, the TRPA, Urban Account, and State parks are funded from sales tax on sporting goods and that the development of new parks stimulates the purchase of sporting goods; and
WHEREAS, the TRPA, Urban Account, and State parks are partially funded from federal dollars used for parks, recreation, open space, trails, and tourism from the United States Department of the Interior Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the Sport Fish Restoration Boat Access program and the United States Department of Transportation Recreation Trails; and
WHEREAS, the maintenance and improvements of State park and historic sites and the addition of new parks is a priority to Texans due to the State’s expanding population and extensive tourism industry; and
WHEREAS, the development of parks encourages and promotes public health, economic development, job creation, education; corporate relocations, an improved quality of life, and juvenile crime prevention; and
WHEREAS, funds are needed for major repairs at Local and State parks and for the acquisition and development of parks and facilities; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of this City Council that a copy of this resolution with appropriate names affixed be presented to the Governor of Texas and the leadership of the 84th Texas Legislature.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF _______________, TEXAS:
1. That members of the 84th Legislature of Texas seek passage of legislation maximizing the use of revenues from the sporting goods sales tax and federal funds to increase funding for parks and recreation programs for both Local and State parks and that all TRPA and Urban Account funded park projects be subject to the established TPWD competitive scoring system.
2. That members of the 84th Legislature of Texas restore funding to the TRPA and Urban accounts in the amount of at least $15.5 million per year.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City of _______________ City Council on this the ____ day of _____________________ 201_.
APPROVED:
______________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
City Attorney
