LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session April 4, 2001 TO: Honorable Frank Madla, Chair, Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: SB870 by Lindsay (Relating to the authority of a commissioners court of a county to authorize certain community and economic development programs.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted ************************************************************************** * No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** Local Government Impact The bill would authorize commissioners courts to develop and administer a program to promote or advertise the county in an attempt to attract visitors, businesses, and conventions. The costs of advertising campaigns could vary from minimal to substantial, depending on the counties' preferences and budget. Costs would be anticipated to be offset by an increase in number of visitors to and spending in the county as a result of the advertising campaign. Under the provisions of the bill, the commissioners courts could also develop and administer a program to support comprehensive literacy programs for the county residents. The costs would vary depending on use of volunteers or paid workers, educational materials purchased and used, frequency of classes, number of locations used for offering literacy services, and expenses in advertising availability of the program. The bill would also authorize a commissioners court to support a children's advocacy center that provides services to abused children. Cost would depend on what programs are available in the county and to what extent the county commissioners court would choose to provide support. Source Agencies: LBB Staff: JK, DB