GOVT 2301 
Task 3: The City Council Meeting & Local Taxes
Fall 2009

Dr. Garrison

(revised 8-26-09)

(sheatx 09/fal109)

     Task 3 is worth 100 points and is due in class no later than November 30/December 1, 2009. Please submit your writing to Turnitin for analysis. Revise your writing if needed before submitting your paper to the professor.

Part I.  The Local Government Public Meeting

     Attend your city’s regular public city council meeting.  (“Town” or “Town Hall” meetings are not acceptable.)  Meetings typically are held monthly or bimonthly and many are in the evening.  Choose your meeting well ahead of the due date.

     Before you go to the meeting, visit your city government’s web site.  Print out one page of the city’s home page to include with your paper. 
    When you arrive at the meeting, get a copy of the Official Agenda to follow during the meeting and have an meeting official sign your agenda copy to document your attendance.  Attach the Agenda to your paper.   Papers without an accompanying agenda will not be graded.

     Observe the meeting for at least two hours -- preferably stay for the entire meeting.  Take detailed notes (four to five pages) of the meeting interaction. Notes do not have to be rewritten or typed but they must be legible.  Include the notes with your paper. 
     Write at least three full pages about the issues, etc. at the city council meeting. What plan of municipal government does the city use?  Include in your paper a written explanation of the city's election system and attach a map (if available) illustrating the election system. Attach a copy of your city/isd May 9, 2009 election ballot -- for officials and issues.
      Introduce yourself to an elected official (the mayor and/or councilpersons) and include the conversation in your paper including their answers to these questions: Should the city adopt single member district election of the council?   Should the city raise taxes this year and next?  ?  Should your position be considered a full time job with full time pay? Why do you serve as an elected official?
   
Part II.  Local Government Taxes
              a. The sales tax
     Answer these questions regarding the sales tax. How much is the total sales tax levied in your city? What is the state's portion? the city's portion?  For what purposes does the city spend its sales tax? Is your city a member of DART? How is DART financed in your city?
             b.  Your local property taxes calculation
     Calculate your most recent tax year (2009) local property taxes as if you were a homeowner. Follow these instructions carefully.  (You may submit your calculations to the professor in advance by email for checking and have a chance to correct any incorrect calculations.)
     Answer these questions regarding the property tax:  What is a property tax abatement?  What is the "Robin Hood" effect? What Collin County  & DFW area school districts are property wealthy? How much money do they have to share and how do they share?   Does Collin County have a hospital district  and property tax?  How much money does Collin County owe Parkland hospital?

     See among other information: 
ISDs web sites
Laurie Fox, "High costs, flat funding strain school districts' budgets," Dallas Morning News, June 29, 2008.
Ed Housewright, "Collin County commissioners approve homestead exemption on property taxes," Dallas Morning News, June 28, 2008.
Kate Alexander, "Capitol stirring again with calls for bigger sales tax," Austin American-Statesman, June 24, 2008
Ed Housewright, "Collin is top hospital debtor," Dallas Morning News, October 6, 2007, 1B, 7B.
Editorial, "It ain't over yet," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, December 31, 2006
Katherine Cromer Brock, "Districts' payments smaller, but not much," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, December 29, 2006.  
Robin Hood Texas at Google
History of Robin Hood School Finance System Plano ISD
Why Texans Won't Kill Robin Hood
Newsroom, Equity Center
Texas Education Agency, School Finance
End Robin Hood Now.

Part III. Documentation     

ACCEPTED. Any exceptions to this policy must be negotiated with the professor in advance.