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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 legislative prioritiesre Prepared by: Simon Andrew, Assistant to the City Manager, 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 356-5010 RESOLUTION NO. 16-355 RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF IOWA CITY'S 2017 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES WHEREAS, the Iowa City City Council seeks to encourage legislation that enhances the quality of life for residents in Iowa City as well as the State of Iowa; and WHEREAS, the City of Iowa City and other cities play a critical role in the future of the State; and WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the residents of Iowa City that the City Council establish legislative priorities and convey said priorities to our State delegation and other relevant stakeholders. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Iowa City City Council hereby outlines its legislative proposals to the Iowa City area legislative delegation for the 2017 Iowa State legislative session as follows: Ensure the continued funding of commercial & industrial property tax replacement payments 2013 property tax reform measures are placing significant financial pressures on cities across the state. Over the next several years, cities will be challenged to maintain basic service levels, even with State of Iowa property tax backfill reimbursements. The magnitude of backfill payments for many cities is such that in addition to basic service cuts, property tax rates will likely be raised to compensate for the lost revenue. Raising tax rates to compensate for reduced taxable value negates the intention of property tax reform. Backfilling a portion of property tax revenue lost to local jurisdictions was an important component of the 2013 legislation and recognized the necessity of this revenue for local government operations. Protection of public sector employee collective bargaining rights State and local public sector employees comprise a large portion of our State's workforce and local economies. Collective bargaining units are an important stakeholder in local government operations and collective bargaining processes have substantial impacts on local government budgets and procedures. The City urges the State to carefully consider the input of local governments in regard to public sector employee collective bargaining and preserve the basic right of public employees to organize. Protect Home Rule authority for local governments Local governments are uniquely positioned to respond to the needs and priorities of our residents and taxpayers. Cities innovate in response to local conditions and implement new ideas that can benefit the State as a whole and more closely reflect the priorities of the public we serve. Issues in which local authority is particularly important include: local control of minimum wage requirements, recognizing the variance in economic conditions and costs of living across cities and counties; local regulation of rental housing, including the regulation of rental occupancy by familial status; increased flexibility in local revenue streams and the ability of cities to diversify revenue sources; and local control over the regulation and enforcement of the possession of marijuana. Resolution No. 16-355 Page 2 Advocate for additional water and wastewater infrastructure funding In order to improve efforts to support a clean water supply, protect public health, and meet increased environmental regulation requirements, the City of Iowa City advocates for increased State funding for water, wastewater, and storm water infrastructure development and maintenance. Providing and protecting healthy water supplies are core functions of government and local infrastructure can have significant effects on other communities downstream. Healthy waterways are essential to maintaining the State's quality of life and economy; providing the resources to meet the demands of water regulations is critical to ensuring that the health of our water resources is protected. Support the continued excellence of the State's primary, secondary, and higher education institutions and advocate for additional education funding Iowa's primary and secondary schools are fundamental drivers of the State's economic growth, standard of living, and future prosperity. It is essential for the success of the State and our loca communities that support for our schools is a top priority in the State's budget. The University of Iowa plays a critical role in supporting statewide economic, social, and cultural growth. It is important the State of Iowa provides the university the needed resources tc ensure the university's continued ability to facilitate growth opportunities in varied sectors of the business community. Likewise, community colleges play an important role in ensuring the continued competitiveness and inclusivity of the state's economy. The City encourages the State to carefully consider and support the legislative and financial priorities of the University of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College. Support the legislative efforts of the Iowa League of Cities and the Metro Coalition Iowa City, as a member city of both organizations, supports the legislative priorities set forth by the Iowa League of Cities and by the Metropolitan Coalition for the 2017 legislative session. Passed and approved this 6th day of December , 20 16 ATTEST: CI RK YOR ppr d by City Attorney's Office Resolution No. 16-355 Page 3 It was moved by Botchway and seconded by Resolution be adopted, and upon roll call there were: Mims AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: x Botchway Cole x Dickens Mims Taylor Thomas Throgmorton the