10/26/2010 Resolutions 2010-306RESOLUTION 2010-306
WHEREAS, on March 26, 2010, the Legislature voted 47-0 to place Amendment 1 (LR
297CA) on the ballot at the November 2010 General Election; and
WHEREAS, if passed by voters this November, Amendment 1 would amend Article XIII,
Section 2 of our state constitution to allow the Legislature to grant municipalities more flexibility
in funding sources for LB 840 plans which fund local economic or industrial projects and
programs, subject to a local vote of the people; and
WHEREAS, LB 840 plans approved by voters in 53 municipalities have already resulted
in successful economic and industrial projects and programs to help promote job retention, create
thousands of better jobs, develop a more diversified local economy as well as develop a broader
tax base for cities and villages to reduce pressure on local property tax payers; and
WHEREAS, our state constitution currently authorizes the Legislature to allow LB 840
plans to be funded ONLY with property tax dollars and/or local option sales tax dollars, with
local voter approval; and
WHEREAS, if passed by voters this November, Amendment 1 would authorize the
Legislature to allow municipalities with voter approved LB 840 plans to use funds (in addition to
those raised from property taxes and local option sales tax) derived from "any other general tax
levied by the city or village or generated from municipally owned utilities or grants, donations, or
state and federal funds received by the city or village subject to any restrictions of the grantor,
donor, or state or federal law."; and
WHEREAS, virtually all of the 53 municipalities with LB 840 plans obtained voter
approval using some portion of their local option sales tax; and
WHEREAS, more flexibility in funding LB 840 plans is needed by municipalities across
the state due to increasing pressure on property taxpayers, local budgets and local option sales tax
dollars already committed to fund other important municipal services and programs; and
WHEREAS, if approved by voters at the General Election this November, the Legislature
would have the authority to pass enabling legislation to allow municipalities to use sources of
revenue listed in Amendment 1, in addition to property taxes and local option sales tax to fund LB
840 plans, with local voter approval; and
Approved as to Form
October 25, 2010 n City Attorney
WHEREAS, once the Legislature passes enabling legislation, municipalities would then be
able to submit proposals to obtain local voter approval for using any such additional sources of
revenue to fund LB 840 plans; and
WHEREAS, a vote for Amendment 1 is a vote for LOCAL CONTROL and
FLEXIBILITY in funding LB 840 plans with local voter approval for the retention and creation
of jobs and businesses.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA, to support passage of Amendment 1 on the
November 2010 ballot.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Grand Island, Nebraska, October 26, 2010.
Margare Hornady, Mayor
Attest:
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RaNae Edwards, City Clerk
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