Results of Texas’ Largest Metro Area Mayors Summit

[John Michael Cortez]

Council Members,

Earlier today, with great assistance from the City of Austin’s Government Relations staff and Texas Municipal League, Mayor Adler hosted mayors of the 10 largest Texas cities to discuss legislative issues facing municipalities.
The purpose of today’s work session was to identify common priorities on which the mayors of Texas’ largest cities could speak with a unified voice at the state legislature. Several critical issues were discussed and the result of the meeting was the value statement below, which was developed collaboratively by the Mayors and surrogates in attendance. Following the meeting and working lunch, the mayors held a press conference where it was made clear that Texas cities are pledging to be the State’s partners in maintaining our robust economy. They also made it clear that the people who live in cities want to be able to solve their own problems in their own way, and wished to preserve self-determination for our city governments. Following the press conference, the mayors headed to the state Capitol offices to communicate with lawmakers on these priorities.

In attendance:
• Mayor Steve Adler, Austin – Host
• Mayor Annise Parker, Houston
• Mayor Ivy Taylor, San Antonio
• Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins, Dallas
• Mayor Betsy Price, Fort Worth
• Mayor Oscar Lesser, El Paso
• Mayor Nelda Martinez, Corpus Christi
• Mayor Robert Cluck, Arlington
• Mayor Harry LaRosiliere, Plano
• (Laredo was unable to attend)

M10 - Texas’ Largest Metro Area Mayors Summit
Value Statement for the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas

Texas cities pledge to be your partners in maintaining the state’s robust economy by providing safe communities, essential infrastructure, and vital services. Cities – the government closest to the people- embody the idea that “We the People” should be in control. Because of that, local control is a central facet of our state’s government.

The people who live in cities want to be able to solve their own problems in their own way. Texas cities are driving our state’s rapid economic growth, and we need the tools to keep the Texas Miracle going strong.

The potential impact of Revenue Caps on vital city services can be large:
While the savings to individual taxpayers are very small or even non-existent, a four percent revenue cap would hit cities hard, and the public will be able to feel it in very real ways – fewer police, slower emergency response, and other real impacts to safety and quality of life.

While we know that citizens are concerned with high property taxes, property taxes collected by cities make up a mere 16% of Texans’ property tax bills. Texas cities are frugal and responsive to our constituents, and we are ready to partner with the state to identify solutions to make property taxes fair and adequate - so we can continue to provide critical services, invest in infrastructure, and keep Texas economic growth strong.

If you have any questions about this event, please let us know and we would be happy to brief your office. Mayor Adler also suggests a briefing and update by staff on the City’s legislative agenda at an upcoming council meeting. Many thanks - jmvc

[Ann Kitchen]

Thank you for the update. And thank you to the Mayor for hosting this important meeting! This type of collaboration is important for the City of Austin.

I think it would be helpful to have an update on the city's Legislative Agenda at a Council Worksession.