Title
Resolution - A Resolution to Consider Requesting the Members of the 85th Legislative Session of the State of Texas to Support Legislation that Provides a Fair and Equitable Distribution of the Sporting Goods Sales Tax Revenue for Local and State Parks
Requested Action
Consider approving resolution
Recommendation
Approve resolution
Description/History
In 1979, the Texas State Legislature authorized a special sales tax on sporting goods (Sporting Goods Sales Tax or SGST) to be utilized to help fund our Texas State Parks and the Texas Recreation and Parks Account (TRPA), which is the grant program that assists municipalities with the acquisition and development of local parks and recreation facilities. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) administers the grant program, and uses a scoring system that allows the grant application process to be as fair as possible for communities of all sizes that apply for the grants.
Since the TRPA is funded by those who purchase sporting goods to use in our local parks, Mansfield can benefit with future grants to improve or expand our park system with support from this resolution. TRAPS is requesting support from City Council by requesting members of the 85th legislative session seek support of legislation that provides fair and equitable distribution of all grants funded through TRPA and the competitive scoring system managed by TPWD. It should also be noted that the TML Board of Directors has already voted to support the efforts of a fair and equitable distribution of grant funds.
Justification
State and local parks have proven their social and economic benefits by providing quality of life amenities and programs, expanding job opportunities, and enhancing tourism in many forms to our state and local economies. Since most of the funding for TPWD/TRPA grants comes from customers of park facilities who buy sporting goods to use the parks, it makes sense to use the specially designated Sporting Goods Sales Tax (SGST) for the purposes for which they were intended- reinvestment in state and local parks.
The City of Mansfield has been the recipient of outdoor and indoor grants provided by TRPA funds, including McClendon Park East (1982), McKnight Park East (1986), McClendon Park West (1992), Rose Park (1995), the Mansfield Activities Center (1997), and Walnut Creek Linear Park Phase I (2005).
Funding Source
N/A
Prepared By
Matt Young, Director of Parks and Recreation
Matt.Young@mansfieldtexas.gov
817-804-5798