R-3794-1-21 RESOLUTION NO. 3794-1-21(R)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALLEN, COLLIN
COUNTY, TEXAS, ADOPTING A STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM; AND,
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS,the Eighty-Seventh Session of the Texas Legislature convenes in January 2021; and,
WHEREAS,many legislative issues affecting local government will be considered; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Allen desires to work with our State Senator and Representatives to remain a center
of excellence and a community of choice.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALLEN,
COLLIN COUNTY,TEXAS,THAT:
SECTION 1. The 2021 State Legislative Program for the City of Allen is hereby adopted. The Allen City
Council supports the following positions on issues to be addressed in the 87th Biennial Session:
• Preservation of Home-Rule Authority—We believe that local issues require local solutions.We support
legislation that promotes the authority of home rule cities to govern themselves as a sovereign entity.
Local Control allows each municipality to respond to the unique needs and wishes of their citizens.
• Transportation—We support legislative efforts to fully fund the state's transportation needs through
the existing authorized funding sources. We support legislative efforts to equitably distribute funding
among the districts within Texas and oppose any efforts to reduce funding from existing revenue
sources. We also support legislative efforts to increase both funding of transportation projects as well
as flexibility by which cities can fund local transportation projects.
• Strong Fiscal Stewardship—We support legislation to maintain current revenue structures of the city
of Allen. We support legislation that promotes innovative financing tools for funding local
infrastructure projects, and that preserves the current flexibility that exists in funding those projects.
We support legislative efforts that will increase transparency and improve clarity on the municipal
budget adoption process. We oppose legislation that would limit the City's ability to receive fair market
compensation for use of public rights-of-way. We also oppose any efforts that threaten the financial
stability of the solid waste system,or any efforts to restrict our municipal franchise fee structures. We
oppose any state mandates imposed without a proportionate level of compensation. We oppose
legislation that would limit our ability to leverage our AAa bond rating to issue debt.
• Economic Development — We support legislation to continue, maintain and protect economic and
community development tools such as the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF), Texas Local Government
Code Chapter 380 Agreements, Tax Increment Financing (TIF), and Type A and B Economic
Development Corporations. Local taxpayers should retain the right to determine the use of Type A and
B funds. We support amendments to the hotel occupancy tax statute that provide additional flexibility
in how the City may use that revenue to promote tourism in our community.
• Natural Resources — We support efforts and legislation to increase Texas' water supply, maintain a
commitment to water conservation and preserving and improving the quality of the state's raw water
supplies. We support legislative efforts to continue Texas' leadership in increasing solar and wind
electric generation to protect and improve the natural environment.We support measures that increase
an affordable and reliable water supply across the entire state. We support programs incentivizing
homeowners and businesses to make investments to reduce their overall energy consumption.We also
support efforts to improve air quality in the DFW non-attainment area.
• Elections —We support legislation that maintains the current May and November Uniform Election
Dates. We support legislation that promotes and/or increases voter participation. We support plain
ballot language. We oppose legislation that requires candidates to declare party affiliation in order to
run for municipal office.
• Development — We support efforts to amend HB 2439 (building materials bill), as passed in the
86th Texas Legislature, to allow the City of Allen to mitigate the unintended consequences of a
reduction in development standards,require reasonable exterior materials that create long-term quality
and resiliency, and allow local amendments related to building codes to maintain safety and property
values_We support efforts to modify HB 3167 (30-day shot clock bill), as passed in the 86th Texas
Legislature, and Section 212 of the Texas Local Government Code, to allow for high-growth
communities like the City of Allen to deliver better customer service to the development community;
such amendments may include flexibility for refining plats as they go through the process,modifying
the timing requirements to give developers more certainty, and reasonable review to protect the
community's safety and economic value We oppose legislation that preempts the City of Allen's home
rule authority related to land use and zoning,local amendments to building codes,local building permit
fees,tree preservation,short-term rentals,and eminent domain.
• Utilities — We support legislation that maintains a municipality's authority over our community's
rights-of-ways and the ability to collect reasonable compensation for their use.We support legislation
ensuring that any utility planning is coordinated with local input and completed in advance of local
growth and development.
• Governmental Immunity—We support legislation that protects local government and its officials from
frivolous legal actions.
SECTION 2. The City Secretary will provide a copy of this resolution to Allen's Representatives in the Texas
Legislature to communicate the items important to the City of Allen in the upcoming state legislative session.
SECTION 3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage in accordance with the
provisions of the Charter of the City of Allen,and it is accordingly so resolved.
DULY PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALLEN, COLLIN
COUNTY,TEXAS,ON THIS THE 12'DAY OF JANUARY 2021.
APPR VED:
( ,Tye1 /
meth M.Fulk, YOR
ST:
Shelley B.Geor , C,CITY SEC TARY
Resolution No.3794-1-21(R),Page 2