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Home My WebLink AboutR2003-002S:\Our Documents\Legislation\02 State\Legislation Amendment Resolution.doc RESOLUTION NO. ~0~-~ A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. R2002-54 OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS ADOPTING THE CITY OF DENTON'S 2003 STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM; PROVIDING A REPEALER; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Seventh-eighth Texas Legislature will convene in January, 2003; and WHEREAS, many legislative issues affecting local government will be considered; and WHEREAS, the City of Denton has developed a legislative program for consideration by the Legislature which was adopted by Resolution No. R2002-54; WHEREAS, the City of Denton desires to amend Resolution No. R2002-54 to clarify some of the background information and to adopt its legislation program, attached as Exhibit "A", NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY RESOLVES: SECTION 1: That Resolution No. R2002-54 is hereby amended and the City of Denton's 2003 State Legislative Program for the City of Denton is adopted as set forth in Attachment "A", incorporated herein and made a part of this resolution for all purposes. SECTION 2: That the Mayor and City Council, City Manager and the City Attorney shall communicate the items included in the state legislative program to members of the Texas Legislature. SECTION 3: That, for those items designated as priority, the City Attorney is directed to draft appropriate legislation, seek a sponsor, and actively pursue passage of such legislation by providing testimony from the Mayor and City Council and City staff and through other appropriate means. SECTION 4: That, for those items designated as support, the Mayor and City Council, City Manager and the City Attorney shall actively attempt to obtain passage of the appropriate legislation if it is introduced by some other entity. SECTION 5: That, for those items designated as endorse by the City of Denton or the Texas Municipal League, the City Manager and the City Attorney are directed as time allows to communicate to appropriate individuals the City Council's general support of such legislation. SECTION 6: That the City Manager and the City Attorney are directed to oppose any legislation which diminishes the City of Denton's home-rule authority. SECTION 7. That all previous resolutions and orders or parts of resolutions or orders in force when the provisions of this Resolution become effective which are inconsistent or in conflict with the terms or provisions contained in this Resolution are hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict. S:\Our Documents\Legislation\02 State\Legislation Amendment Resolution.doc SECTION 8: This resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the City of Denton and it is accordingly so resolved. PASSED AND APPROVED this the ATTEST: JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY 2003. APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM: HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY Cit.y_of Denton 2003 State Legislative Program State of Texas 78th Legislative Session As approved by the Denton City Council January 7, 2003 TABLE OF CONTENTS CITY OF DENTON MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ........................................................... CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY AND CITY STAFF ................................................... DENTON CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ADOPTING LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM .................. Transportation Issues Support the creation and funding of Regional Transportation Authorities. Support amendments to Coordinated Transportation Authorities which created the Denton County Transportation Authority. Support the Texas Municipal League's Transportatiun initiatives. Require Higher Education Authorities to notify cites and receive consent before forming. Hotel/Motel Tax Issues - Support legislation to allow a city to charge an additional 2% for Convention Centers and to clarify the use of hotel/motel tax funds. Public Library Funding and Telecommunications Fund. Oppose - Enacting a sales tax exemption that isn't a local option exemption. Oppose - Enacting a property tax exemption that would be substantial erosion of the tax base. interact sales tax. Homeland Security Issues Support legislation amending Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code to allow increased funding for Homeland Security. Support legislation to limit disclosure of public information beneficial to terrorist organizations. Support legislation to allow security briefings in closed session under the Open Meetings Act. Erosion of Local Control Oppose legislation limiting the ability of cities to control the right of way and to collect Franchise fees. Development Issues and Fees - Retain local control over development and development fees Oppose legislation eroding a city's development authority. Oppose legislation creating special districts in a City's ETJ. Economic Development Issues Retain a state level presence and Retain beneficial programs in Economic Development. Allow cities with a population over 50,000 to have Logo Reader Boards. Support Legislation that directly affects University of North Texas and Texas Women's University Support full funding formulas for state universities and improved public education programs to to promote more college graduates. Support full funding for the University ofNorth Texas to implement the College ofEngineering. Support Denton 1SD Support increasing the state share ofthe Foundation School Program. Increase the fiscal capacity of the school f'mance system. Increase state funding for children with special needs. Add a factor to school funding for exempt state and federal property. 2 3 4 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 14 14 15 15 15DentonMunicipalElectricLegislativeObjectives City ofDenton 2003 State Legislative Program Page 1 City of Denton City Council Members Mailing Address for all of Council: 215 E. McKinney, Denton, TX 76201 Voice Mail for all of Council - 349-8555 Mayor Euline Brock 1900 Westridge Denton, TX 76205 E-mail: mayor@iglobal.net Office: 349-7717 Home: 382-2436 Cell: 391-4940 Fax: 381-0106 Council Member - District 1 Raymond Redmon 1029 E. Hickory Denton, TX 76205 E-mail: raymond.redmon@ci~ofdenton.com Office: 323-2301 Home: 323-2300 Cell: 390-9475 Pager: 888-298-2383 press 3//to leave message] Council Member - District 2 Jane Fulton 729 Greenwood Denton, TX 76209 E-mail: iane. fulton@cityofdenton.com Home: 382-6888 Cell: 390-9485 Council Member - District 3 Michael Phillips 6605 Alderbrook Denton, TX 76210 E-mail: michael.phillips@cit¥ofdenton.com. Office: 369-3242 Home: 381-1521 Cell: 390-2296 Council Member - District 4 Perry McNeill 1508 Gatewood Drive Denton, TX 76205 E-mail: council4@iglobal.net Office: 565-2364 Home: 591-6080 Cell: 390-9463 Council Member Bob Montgomery 2329 E. Windsor Denton, TX 76209 E-mail: bob.montgomery@citigofdenton.com Home: 891-0051 Cell: 391-6545 Pager: 380-5140 Mayor Pro Tem Mark Burroughs (Annie 15 Royal Oaks Circle Denton, TX 76205 E-mail: markburr@iglobal.net Office: 382-4357 Home: 381-0046 Cell: 368-1146 Fax: 591-0991 City of Denton 2003 State Legislative Program Page 2 City Manager, City Attorney and City Staff The Denton City Council and staff would be glad to provide information, research issues and testify on the City of Denton 2003 Legislative Program. Municipal Offices:City of Denton 215 E. McKinney Denton, Texas 76201 www.citgofdenton.com Michael A. Conduff City Manager 940) 349-8307 Herb Prouty City Attorney 940) 349-8333 Ed Snyder Deputy City Attorney 940) 349-8333 David Hill Assistant City Manager Development Services 940) 349-8314 Kathy L. DuBose Assistant City Manager/Finance 940) 349-8228 Howard Martin Assistant City Manager Utilities 940) 349-8232 Jon Fortune Assistant City Manager/Public Safety and Transportation Operations 940) 349-8535 Sharon Mays Director Electric Utilities 940) 349-8487 John Cabrales Public Information Officer 940) 349-8509 If you or your legislative staff needs assistance from Denton or has any questions concerning Denton's Legislative Priorities, please contact: Dorothy Palnmbo, Senior Assistant City Attomey/Legislative Coordinator 940) 348-8393, (940) 382-7923 FAX, or email: doroth¥.palumbo ~,,citvo fdenton.com. Betty Williams, Director of Management and Public Information 940) 349-8302, (940) 349-8596 FAX, or email: bett~.williams~cityo fdenton.com. City of Denton 2003 State Legislative Program Page 3 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. R2002-54 OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS ADOPTING THE CITY OF DENTON'S 2003 STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM; PROVIDING A REPEALER; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Seventh-eighth Texas Legislature will convene in January, 2003; and WHEREAS, many legislative issues affecting local government will be considered; and WHEREAS, the City of Denton has developed a legislative program for consideration by the Legislature which was adopted by Resolution No. R2002-54; WHEREAS, the City of Denton desires to amend Resolution No. R2002-54 to clarify some of the background information and to adopt its legislation program, attached as Exhibit "A", NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY RESOLVES: SECTION 1: That Resolution No. R2002-54 is hereby amended and the City of Denton's 2003 State Legislative Program for the City of Denton is adopted as set forth in Attachment "A", incorporated herein and made a part of this resolution for all purposes. SECTION 2: That the Mayor and City Council, City Manager and the City Attorney shall communicate the items included in the state legislative program to members of the Texas Legislature. SECTION 3: That, for those items designated as priority, the City Attorney is directed to draft appropriate legislation, seek a sponsor, and actively pursue passage of such legislation by providing testimony from the Mayor and City Council and City staff and through other appropriate means. SECTION 4: That, for those items designated as support, the Mayor and City Council, City Manager and the City Attorney shall actively attempt to obtain passage of the appropriate legislation if it is introduced by some other entity. SECTION 5: That, for those items designated as endorse by the City of Denton or the Texas Municipal League, the City Manager and the City Attorney are directed as time allows to communicate to appropriate individuals the City Council's general support of such legislation. SECTION 6: That the City Manager and the City Attorney are directed to oppose any legislation which diminishes the City of Denton's home-rule authority. SECTION 7. That all previous resolutions and orders or parts of resolutions or orders in force when the provisions of this Resolution become effective which are inconsistent or in conflict with the terms or provisions contained in this Resolution are hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict. SECTION 8: This resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the City of Denton and it is accordingly so resolved. City of Denton 2003 State Legislative Program Page 4 PASSED AND APPROVED this the day of ,2003. EULINE BROCK, MAYOR ATTEST: JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY BY: APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM: HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY BY: Page 5 Denton's Legislative Priorities City of Denton 2003 State Legislative Program Page 6 Denton's Legislative Priorities The City of Denton has adopted the following legislative issues as priority issues for the 78th Legislative Session. The City Council of the City of Denton has met in workshops, participated in legislative seminars and has received information from city staff and various groups within the community to set these priorities. Transportation Proposals Support the creation and funding Authorities of Regional Transportation Background Information: The City of Denton urges the State Legislature to provide legislation and policy changes to create a Regional Transportation Authority with funding for Regional Transportation Authorities in the form of (1) either raising the existing cap on sales tax or allowing the cap to be raised on a local option basis, 2) boosting the gasoline tax, by adding 5 to 10 cents a gallon to the existing 20 cents taken by the state and the 18.3 cents taken by the federal government, and (3) providing state funds to the Texas Mobility Fund to provide for revenue bonds to be used for Regional Transportation Authorities and for any other funding for Regional Transportation Authorities. Support for beneficial amendments to Section 460.051, et seq., of the Texas Transportation Code, Coordinated Transportation Authority which created the Denton Coun~ Transportation Authority Background Information: Voters of Denton County overwhelmingly approved the creation of the Denton County Transportation Authority. We ask our legislators to support any beneficial amendments to Section 460.051, the legislation which created Coordinated Transportation Authorities, which allowed the voters of Denton County to create the Denton County Transportation Authority. Support the Texas Muncipal League's Transportation Initiatives The Texas Municipal League has put together an excellent program to increase the level and availability of state transportation funding, and Denton is fully behind these efforts. TML will: Support legislation that would: City ofDenton 2003 State Legislative Program Page 7 Provide cities with revenue that can be used for transportation funding. Make it simpler to convert to dedicated sales tax revenue for street repair from sales tax revenue dedicated to any other purpose. Allow for a 1/8 cent or less street maintenance sales tax. Denton supports allowing any amount less than the current law of 1/4 cent. Dedicate state revenue to the Texas Mobility Fund. Establish desired levels of service for state-funded transportation infrastructure. Allow TXDOT to conduct protective right-of-way acquisition procedures, including right-of-way map and field note preparation, appraisal of right-of- way parcels at a time commencing after the final public meeting based on final determination by TxDOT as to the accuracy of the right-of-way requirements established on the geometric design schematic for the final meeting. Increase Texas trucking road use fees, but only as may be required to allow Texas to increase fees on out of state trucks, and allocate the resulting revenue to Fund 6 for highway funding. Endorse legislation that would advance the concept of the Trans Texas Corridor as advocated by Governor Rick Perry, in pilot projects, as long as investment in other elements of transportation infrastructure is not endangered and adequate public input is allowed. Oppose legislation that would further divert the state's transportation-related revenue to non-transportation projects. Background Information: Traffic congestion is a major problem in Denton. We have several major highways running through our city. To expedite highway improvements TXDOT procedures must be streamlined. Texas needs to look seriously at the development of mass transit systems in Texas is needed. Denton's bond election of January 2000 included for the first time a significant amount of bond money for the study of mass transit systems. If we ranked all of the economies and areas of the world, Texas would rank number 11. Texas has the second highest population among the 50 states, and the Dallas-Ft. Worth-Denton area is growing rapidly. Texas is in need of a first class transportation system to serve this economy and its citizens. City of Denton 2003 State Legislative Program Page 8 Tax and Finance Issues Amend Chapter 35 of the Texas Education Code concerning Higher Education Authorities Background Information: Chapter 35 of the Texas Education Code permits a city to create a higher education authority or a nonprofit corporation to exercise powers similar to those of a higher education authority. The nonprofit organization can issue tax-exempt bonds to buy educational facilities or dormitories within or outside the city that created the corporation. If the project is a dormitory, the bonds are to be paid from the rent from the dormitory. The dormitories must be rented exclusively to students or other persons officially connected with a university. The educational or dormitory facilities built by an authority are exempt from ad valorem property taxes. Some cities and private individuals, through the use of an authority, are financing the construction of student apartment complexes outside of their extraterritorial jurisdiction and claiming a property tax exemption. Senate Bill 914, which was introduced in the last legislative session but not passed would establish that educational and student housing facilities owned by higher education authorities or certain nonprofit entities that are financed by an authority must have a connection to an educational institution to qualify for tax exempt status. Under S.B. 914, before issuing tax exempt bonds for these kinds of projects within the city of Denton, they must obtain the consent of the City Council, Mayor, County Judge or Commissioners Court. Denton supports amending state law to require the consent of the city and other taxing entities (like school districts) that lose property tax revenue within the city that the authority locates the dormitories in. The City of College Station has approximately 14 apartment complexes, which have been taken off the tax rolls and the City of San Marcos has had 2 apartments taken off the tax rolls under this law. Support amendments to Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code to allow cities to charge an additional 2% Hotel/Motel tax for the construction, maintenance and operation of convention centers. Background Information: Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code allows some cities to charge an additional 2% Hotel/Motel tax for convention center facilities. Denton supports amending Chapter 351 to allow cities to charge an additional 2% Hotel/Motel tax for the construction, maintenance and operation of convention centers. Clarify the Use of Hotel/Motel Tax Funds Background Information: The Hotel/Motel industry has stated that all expenditures must directly promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry. City of Denton 2003 State Legislative Program Page 9 This new emphasis on the interpretation of this statute is causing controversy in many cities. Research into the legislative history of the act indicates that the legislation was not originally enacted to benefit the hotel/motel industry.1 In 1987 S.B. 1532 was enacted and provided that the expenditures of the hotel/motel tax money directly promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry. The Hotel/Motel industry is putting a new emphasis on the word, "directly", to indicate that the expenditures must put "heads in beds". Denton supports beneficial amendments to Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code clarifying the use of Hotel/Motel tax funds. Library Funding and Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Denton recently received a TIF grant and fully supports continuation of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) and TIF grants to libraries. Denton supports public libraries by providing state funding to increase access to full-text online information services and by funding the Loan Star Libraries program of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Finally, Denton supports increasing direct state aid for public libraries as long as there are no grant conditions that prohibit non-resident fees. Oppose - Enacting a sales tax exemption that isn't a local option exemption. Oppose - Enacting a property tax exemption that would be a substantial erosion of the tax base. Background Information: Denton has numerous federal and state properties that do not pay ad valorem taxes. In 1994 Denton passed a ½ cent sales tax for the reduction of property tax. This means that we are heavily dependent on sales taxes. Denton has lost over $200,000 annually in sales tax revenue as a result of the sales tax holiday. Opting out of a sales tax holiday is not politically feasible for a municipality in an urban area, because shoppers would go to nearby cities to take advantage of the sales tax holiday. Expanding the sales tax holiday or adding additional items other than school supplies - or adding additional property tax exemptions - would significantly impact Denton. Denton asks legislators to be cautious in considering expanding the sales tax holiday. Expanding the number of sales tax holiday days will dramatically affect cities. We urge legislators to make minor amendments to exempt school supplies from sales tax during the sales tax holiday and to wait to make more amendments until after a study of the impact on cities is complete. I S][~ 91 1 enacted in I971. City ofDenton 2003 State Legislative Program Page l0 Support Internet Sales Tax Model Legislation. Background Information. Denton also supports model Internet sales tax legislation. Items sold over the Internet should be taxed the same as items sold within the city, so that one type of retailer does not have unfair advantage over another. Homeland Security Support legislation amending Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code to allow increased funding for Homeland Security, needs. Support legislation to limit disclosure of public information that might benefit terrorist organizations. Support legislation to allow security briefings in closed session under the Open Meetines Act Background Information. After September 11, cities are setting new priorities: Fire, police EMS and health officials need special equipment and extra personnel to respond to anthrax alarms, which in some mid-sized cities have totaled as many as 60 calls in one day. Cities must pay overtime for police to patrol power and water treatment plants and for training to respond to biological or chemical attacks. Security for power and water infrastructure is funded in most cities through the water and electric utilities, which are financed by customer charges. For other costs, cities depend on taxes, and sales tax revenues are declining in most areas. Federal grant money should be passed through to local governments, who are first responders and responsible for protecting citizen's water supply and electric power. Amendments to Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code may be necessary to allow the Governor's Division of Emergency Management to provide technical and financial tools to assist municipal governments with implementing emergency management plans and services. Texas Open Records Act - does not contain an exception for documents containing security measures. The Open Meetings Act contains a provision that allows the city council to meet in closed session to discuss security devices but not overall security City ofDenton 2003 State Legislative Program Page I 1 measures. Cities need to be able to protect security sensitive documents and closed sessions concerning security issues so that terrorists will not have access to information on security. Erosion of local control over the Right-of-way Oppose legislation limiting the abili~ of cities to control the right- of-way and to collect franchise fees. Background Information. Under current federal or state law, no laws exist that reduce the authority of cities to exercise their police powers for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the public in connection with the use of city streets and rights-of way by telecommunication companies and other entities providing service. The types of regulations that cities may impose on entities that use the city's right of way are numerous and will withstand legal challenge because they are reasonably connected to protection of the health, safety, or welfare of the public. Denton urges the Legislature not to adopt new legislation that limits the ability of cities to control the right of way. Cities collect franchise fees as compensation for the use of the right of way. These fees reimburse the public for the use of the right of way. Denton urges the Legislature not to adopt legislation that limits cities ability to collect franchise fees. Development Issues and Fees Retain local control over development and development fees. Background Information: During the past five years Denton has allocated major staff recourses and spent significant sums on creating a development strategy. Part of this strategy developed the Denton Plan, 1999-2020, which deals with Land Use, The Street, Urban Design, School placement and undeveloped areas on the edge of the city. In February 2002 the City Council adopted the Denton Development Code to implement the plan. Denton citizens do not want these achievements to be undermined by legislation eroding local control. City of Denton 2003 State Legislative Program Page 12 Oppose legislation creating special districts in the ETJ and enact legislation to require special districts to notify and receive permission from cities before forming. Background Information: Denton provides water and wastewater to its own citizens and also provides water and wastewater services through interocal agreements with many smaller cities in Denton County. There are 12 flesh water supply districts in Denton County. The City of Denton has had problems with a fresh water supply district forming inside the city limits and had to file litigation. Fresh water supply districts frequently have substandard infrastructure and cannot serve the development that the district projected at build out. These systems are not required to bid competitively and are very expensive. Developers will often structure the debt to include a bond balloon payment. This balloon payment is usually due around the time the system is failing. Cities are then pressured to take over the district through annexation and are forced to spend substantial sums to correct the problem. This is the same problem Houston faced in the early 80s. We urge legislators to be careful when creating special districts and make sure that special districts notify and receive permission from cities before forming. Economic Development Issues Retain a state level presence and retain beneficial programs in Economic Development. Background Information: The state plays an important role in attracting business investment, encouraging business growth, and supporting local economic development recruitment and retention efforts. As the Texas Department of Economic Development undergoes Sunset Review, we support the continuation of a revitalized state economic development entity whose functions include promoting Texas as a desirable location for future business expansions, new capital investment and local recruitment and retention programs. Support Legislation allowing Logo Reader Boards in Urban Areas with a population of 50,000 or more. Background Information: Specific information logo signs have a blue background with a white reflective border for commercial establishments which City of Denton 2003 State Legislative Program Page 13 provide gas, food, lodging or camping and are located not farther than three miles from an interchange on an eligible highway. TxDOT contracts with a private firm to provide the signs and administer the program. Amending Chapter 391 of the Texas Transportation Code to allow Denton and other Texas urban areas with a population of 50,000 or more to place logo reader boards on state highways is necessary to allow local business within three miles of the interchange to be eligible to purchase signs to be placed on the interstate. This would allow business owners to make available their services to interstate travelers and may increase sales tax revenue. Support Legislation that would provide adequate funding, at or exceeding current levels for the Texas Recreation and Parks Account. Background Information: The recreation and park system of the State of Texas provides a system of parks with opportunities for recreation and exercise, which leads to a healthier population, and increased opportunities for youth, which may lead to a reduction in juvenile crime. Denton fully supports conservation and preservation of cultural and natural resources in a park system for current and future generations of Texas. The quality and quantity of park and recreation facilities provides an incentive for economic development and increased property values. Denton is a fast growing city with increasing demands for park and recreation facilities. Denton, the Texas Municipal League and The Texas Recreation and Parks Society also support legislation that would provide adequate funding, at or exceeding levels to meet the future needs and demands of the citizens for park and recreation facilities. Support Legislation that directly affects UNT & TWU Background Information: Denton supports full funding formulas for universities and improved public education programs to promote more college graduates. We support the expansion of state excellence funding to assist our public universities in national competition for engineering and science research funds. The University of North Texas needs full funding to implement the College of Engineering. Support Legislation that directly affects Denton 1SD Support increasing the state share of the Foundation School Program to 60 percent while maintaining local control over the allocation of resources. Provide additional state resources to local school districts to increase fiscal capacity of the school finance system and to provide districts with the resources needed to meet rising expectations. City of Denton 2003 State Legislative Program Page 14 Increase state funding for children with special needs. Adding a factor to the state funding formula for school districts that are heavily impacted by exempt state and federal orol~ert~. Background Information: Denton ISD includes the University of North Texas, Texas Women's University, Denton State School, FEMA, County government and other tax-exempt properties. All of these entities feed students into Denton ISD without concomitant tax payments. Denton ISD is among the lowest-ranked area schools in terms of taxable value per student. Because of the location in our community of the Denton State School, the Nelson Center and other entities that serve students with special needs, Denton has a disproportionate number of such students, many of whose families live elsewhere in Texas. Denton ISD expenses exceed the state average for providing educational services to specialized populations. Denton citizens make up this difference with local property taxes. We urge you to consider these issues when looking at school funding formulas. DME Legislative Objectives Maintain the rights and protections provided to municipal electric utilities in SB 7. Minimize the rising administrative costs associated with implementation of retail competition. Support an environment that supports cost-effective development of the electric transmission system in Texas, cost effective siting of generation in Texas, and maintains the reliability, of the Texas electric grid. Avoid excessive reliance on charges imposed upon electric consumers in order to satisfy the state's budget deficit City of Denton 2003 State Legislative Program Page 15 Background Information: Electric Utility Issues are dynamic and ongoing in today's market. Denton will actively monitor proposed legislation and continue to inform legislators of Denton's position in the upcoming session. For several legislative sessions, Denton Municipal Electric has hired and anticipates hiring a utility expert, Jim Boyle, to act on its behalf before the Texas Legislature with regard to legislation affecting DME. As bills are filed, DME and its representative will contact legislators to convey Denton's position to protect its investment in DME, including its position as member of the 4-City Texas Municipal Power Authority. City of Denton 2003 State Legislative Program Page 16