Agenda

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14.

City Council Regular Meeting

Meeting Date:

09/22/2020

BACKGROUND

Presently State law provides nine specific uses for HOT revenues including funding for tourist promotion, arts promotion, historic preservation and signage for tourists. Our City parks such as Pickrell Park are often used by visitors. However, State law does not allow HOT revenues to be used to support improvements to parks.

If the attached resolution was approved, it would be sent to the TML for inclusion in their priorities for the 2021 legislative session. Cities such as Fredericksburg, and Granbury have adopted this Resolution. It is expected that many other cities will support our efforts if approved by Council.

With recent changes in State law limiting the ability of municipalities to increase property taxes, it will also be more difficult to fund park improvements with property taxes. Cities need other revenue options available in order to improve municipal park facilities. HOT revenues would offer us an additional option for funding these improvements.

It should be noted that during the current COVID-19 pandemic the use of our parks and trails by local citizens have increased significantly. The public seems to have a new appreciation for our parks system particularly our walking trails. When revenues decline (such as during a pandemic) many cities consider reductions in funding park improvements rather than reductions to other city services such as Police and Fire. The availability of this option for funding park improvements would help the City to fund parks improvements during times when revenue could be or is declining.

Additionally, the Johnie McDow Sports Complex in Schertz and the Schertz Soccer Complex bring in hundreds of visitors each year. Our youth sports association has received some HOT funds for tournament fees in the past, but we have not made any improvements to those facilities with the HOT funds because the requirements to do so have been so strict and require a heavy burden of proof that the value of the improvement you do is relative to the amount of visitors that come in to that facility. The ability to spend HOT funds on our sports and athletic faculties would be a tremendous addition to the City.

GOAL

Approve Resolution No. 20-R-104 supporting the use of HOT Revenues for park improvements to provide additional funding for the improvement of our city parks.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

The improvement of our city parks.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION

To approve Resolution No. 20-R-104 supporting the use of HOT Revenues for Park Improvements.

FISCAL IMPACT

The City would be able to expend its HOT funds on parks and recreation facilities to improve maintenance and attract more visitors.

RECOMMENDATION

To approve Resolution No. 20-R-104 supporting the use of HOT Revenues for Park Improvements.

Attachments
Resolution 20-R-104