Austin Parks Foundation: Bonds and Advocacy

Bonds and Advocacy

Your Vote Needed to Bring $27 Million to State Parks

Proposition 4 on the November 6 ballot will affect Texas State Parks! Prop 4 would authorize up to $1 billion in bond authority for nine state agencies, including legislative appropriations for 2008 and 2009 providing $27 million for major repairs and improvements at Texas state parks. Prop 4 dollars were appropriated by the 80th Texas Legislature but require voter approval. Early voting begins October 22. For more information, visit www.proposition4.org.

New Development Should Benefit Parks: APF Supports Changes to Parkland Dedication Ordinance

The Parkland Dedication Ordinance directs developers to either create a park or pay a fee for park development and improvements whenever a property is subdivided. The City Parks Department has suggested a change to the ordinance so that, among other things, properties that are not being subdivided (such as apartment buildings) are included.

On May 25, the Austin Parks Foundation Board of Directors approved the following statement of support for the proposed changes to the City of Austin Parkland Dedication Ordinance:

The Austin Parks Foundation supports broadening the application of the Parkland Dedication Ordinance to apply to all residential developments of four or more units, at a fee level that supports abundant, vibrant parks. The city of Austin should not reduce the parks and recreation budget to offset amounts raised by the ordinance. We support fees being used on capital improvement projects or on parkland acquisition within the neighborhood planning area, or, if no neighborhood plan exists, within a one-mile radius of the fee area.

We encourage you to join us in supporting a new, more equitable Parkland Dedication Ordinance. Email your council member or attend the June 7th public hearing at City Hall. (Come to Movies in the Park at Republic Square afterwards!

Your Voices Heard: State Parks Budget to Triple

Thanks to everyone who wrote or called our state legislators in May regarding the budget for parks! Over 90% of what was recommended by the State Parks Advisory Committee and requested by TPWD’s Commissioners was budgeted.

The bulk of funding for state parks comes from the sporting goods tax. Even though the proceeds have generated well over $100 M per year, the legislature capped the amount going to the state parks system at $32 M per year. HB 12, passed by the Senate and House during the last days of the 2007 legislative session, removes the cap (with some committees providing further study). Funding will be 90% of what was asked for by the State Parks Advisory Committee, a blue ribbon panel which issued a report in late summer asking for increases in funding to attack a broad set of issues in the state parks system.

The bills received broad support from the Governor, House Speaker Tom Craddick and a coalition of house representatives and senators, led by Harvey Hilderbran, (TX 53, R-Kerrville). Your letters and calls made a difference.

When Will Projects Funded Through the 2006 Bond Election Begin?

The first of the new city bonds will be sold at the beginning of Austin's next fiscal year - October 2007. In the meantime, the city manager will be working to determine which of the projects will be included in the first round of capital improvements. The city manager will announce the proposed items in July or August of 2007. Bonds are not sold until projects are ready to begin.

Thank you City of Austin Voters!

All seven of the city bonds passed on November 7th. Proposition 3, $84.7 M for Parks received the highest margin of victory: 72.81% of voters said yes! Proposition 2 for drainage and water quality passed with 68.76% of the vote. These bonds will repair, preserve, and expand Austin's parks and greenspaces for years to come. Thank you for your support!

The bonds include:

$50 million to preserve land to protect water quality
$20 million for New Parks, Natural Areas & Greenways
Improvements to Parks, Pools and Trails Citywide
Flood Control, Erosion Control and Water Quality Controls Across the City.

Austin Parks Foundation advocated for these bonds, attending meeting after meeting to speak up for parks. We are a member of the Parks, River and Recharge group, which also supported last year's successful Travis County park bonds. Details at www.austinparkbonds.org.

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