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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