HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 04-061 RESOLUTION NO. 04-061
WHEREAS, the City of Beaumont utilizes Federal Transit Administration and Texas
Department of Transportation Section 5307 funds to provide small urban transportation to
the citizens of Beaumont; and,
WHEREAS, the United Sates Congress has recognized that States with tollways
have partially funded their transportation systems with local tolls; and that Congress, in
recognition of this increased local contribution established "toll credits" as a source of
federal funding that can be, and has been, used to finance the local contribution
requirement of funds from the Federal Transit Administration and the Department of
Transportation; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Beaumont utilizes toll credits to match federal funds for bus
replacement purchases; and,
WHEREAS, toll credits in the State of Texas have been directed in the past by the
Texas Transportation Commission to public transportation agencies in the State; and,
WHEREAS, public transportation's use of toll credits has effectively leveraged four
(4) times the amount of toll credit dollars in additional federal funds; and,
WHEREAS, the matching of federal funds represented by toll credits has been
crucial to maximizing the draw down and use of federal transportation grants to the State
of Texas; and,
WHEREAS, our Southeast Texas region is currently classified as a moderate ozone
non-attainment area and without these much needed credits many air quality programs
across our area, such as fleet replacements with alternative fuel vehicles, would not be
achieved; and,
WHEREAS, public transportation has historically-based financial needs that greatly
exceed that which is available, and that those needs have been well documented by the
Texas Department of Transportation; and,
WHEREAS, any backward movement in the use of toll credits for public
transportation by the Texas Department of Transportation will further diminish the ability of
public transit to serve residents; and,
WHEREAS, public transit agencies in Texas — and the local governments that
support them — have practical limits in extending any financial resources in substitution of
State toll credits.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT:
THAT the City of Beaumont on behalf of Beaumont Municipal Transit and other state
public transit agencies, urges the Texas Transportation Commission to continue its strong,
historic support for using toll credits in maintaining the existing system of public
transportation; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,that the City of Beaumont further recommends to the
Texas Transportation Commission that public transportation be granted first use of toll
credits in the advancement of transit services in the State; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the
Texas Transportation Commission in Austin, Texas.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the 23rd day of
March, 2004.
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eLu Mayor Evelyn M. Lord -
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