St.Paul, MN—Saying that the next governor will determine the fate of cities across the state, mayors announced at a State Capitol press conference that they are turning their attention to the 2010 governor’s race and will be traveling the state to call on candidates to address local government aid (LGA).

“Minnesotans have had it. We are standing here today because our citizens are demanding answers. Our citizens are bearing the brunt of year after year of property tax increases and cuts to local police, fire, libraries, community pools, street maintenance and snow plowing,” said Wadena Mayor Wayne Wolden, who is also a spokesperson with the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities-an organization of nearly 80 outstate cities that is organizing the effort.

“If you are running for governor, Minnesotans want to know where you stand: will you uphold the state’s commitment to strong, affordable cities, or will you continue to allow property taxes to skyrocket across the state?” Wolden asked. Continue reading »

Worthington City Administrator Craig Clark wrote a compelling letter published in the Daily Globe today that explains how the city plans to cope with LGA cuts:

The city has to make budgetary decisions for the long-run to ensure the continued financial health of the city. A short term contraction might make good headlines for one year, but we owe it to our residents to make solid fiscal considerations especially in light of the states substantial decline in partnership with local governments.

Read the full article here.

City councils across the state continue to discuss ways to account for significant losses in LGA, and many are finding that the outcome will mean deep cuts to the services that keep our communities safe and strong and increases in property taxes. Cuts to LGA mean pay more, get less.

Faribault:
City seeks $500,000 in cuts, Faribault Daily News, 9/16/09

The Faribault City Council recently set its preliminary 2010 levy with a maximum 9.95% tax increase. The City Council hopes to drop that figure to 6% by making an additional $500,000 in spending cuts. As City Administrator Tim Madigan commented, ”When you cut down to the basics, you start eliminating not only bodies, but services.” The City of Faribault has lost $845,000 through Governor Pawlenty’s unallotment.

Alexandria:
City budget set, Alexandria Echo Press, 9/16/09

Alexandria Mayor Dan Ness sums up what cities across the state are experiencing as they set their 2010 budgets: “It’s not a spending problem, it’s a revenue problem.” Alexandria lost $226,358 in the final two weeks of 2008 and $206,691 in 2009 through the unallotment of state aid, and stands to lose an additional $476,915 in 2010.

Minneapolis:
More Mpls Budget Cuts, More Firefighter Layoffs, Fox 9 News, 9/15/09
Minneapolis Police Department shuts down narcotics unit, Star Tribune, 9/16/09

Budget cuts in Minneapolis could lead to the loss of 27 firefighters, potentially resulting in decreased response times and increased health risks to firefighters. Minneapolis has also shut down its narcotics unit in response to budget cuts, making Minneapolis the only major city in the U.S. to not have a dedicated unit to narcotics enforcement.

Watch the full report from Fox 9 below:

The Albert Lea Tribune is reporting today that the City of Albert Lea did not receive two key grants that would have helped it maintain its full police force. As a result, the police department is $160,000 short in its budget, which already took a $320,000 hit (made up through the attrition of 3.5 positions) earlier in the year. To close the new gap, the city may have to layoff personnel in the police department or make deeper cuts in other departments. Through Governor Pawlenty’s LGA unallotment, Albert Lea lost $400,000 in the last two weeks of its 2008 budget year and is scheduled to lose more than $1 million in 2009 and 2010.

The proposed cuts range from reductions in overtime and temporary employee hours to elimination of school crossing guards to wholesale cutbacks in street seal coating.The latest update in our “It’s hitting home” series looks at budget challenges facing Glencoe, East Grand Forks, Winona, Mankato, and North Mankato. These cities are grappling with difficult choices to raise property taxes or cut services as a result of cuts to LGA.

Glencoe:
Council facing tough decisions on budget; cuts vs. new funding, McLeod County Chronicle (9/9/09)

The Glencoe City Council is considering a plan to raise property taxes by 3%. This plan would also involve cuts to road maintenance, cuts to the city’s trail system and campgrounds, potentially delaying the purchase of a new fire truck, and delaying the replacement of two police officers and a street department position. The city may also have to implement new fees.

East Grand Forks:
EGF: 2010 budget ‘will be cut’, Grand Forks Herald (9/9/09)

The East Grand Forks City Council set a preliminary property tax increase at a 12.8%, but plans to work this down to a more acceptable figure through tough budget cuts.

Winona:
City council considers staff cuts, tax increase, Winona Daily News (9/9/09)

The Winona City Council approved a plan to cut 12 city positions, including the library director and a liaison officer who works in the public schools, and raise the property tax levy 5%.

Mankato:
Mankato eyes 4-5 percent levy hike, Mankato Free Press (9/9/09)

During a work session, the Mankato City Council discussed raising property taxes by 4% to 5%. Along with budget cuts already in the 2010 plan, the council and city manager discussed freezing their salaries for 2010, cutting the parks maintenance budget, and making other minor staffing changes.

North Mankato:
North Mankato approves cuts, Mankato Free Press (9/9/09)

North Mankato’s 2010 preliminary budget includes $220,000 worth of service cuts. According to the report, “the proposed cuts range from reductions in overtime and temporary employee hours to elimination of school crossing guards to wholesale cutbacks in street seal coating.” The proposed budget would also require a 3% property tax increase.

Amid fairgoers with deep-fried candy bars and buckets of Sweet Martha Cookies, DFL candidates for governor convened at the Minnesota State Fair Tuesday night to debate a slate of issues for the 2010 election. You can watch the full debate at www.TheUptake.org.

 As news pours in daily about how the cuts to Local Government Aid are hurting rural Minnesota communities, Thank LGA wasn’t surprised to hear that the issue came up at last night’s debate.

Nearly all the candidates voiced their support of the program and stated the need to recover lost funding. Many recognized LGA as a priority in their campaigns and emphasized that the economic viability of communities across the state depends on keeping property taxes low and ensuring residents have equal access to critical services no matter what corner of the state they live in.

Thank LGA was surprised, however, to learn that LGA was not a top priority for former Representative Matt Entenza’s campaign, according to Entenza’s comments at the debate. Both as a legislative leader and as Board Chair of Minnesota 2020, Entenza has been a strong advocate for LGA. However, at Tuesday’s debate, Entenza disappointed greater Minnesota property taxpayers and residents by dodging a commitment to the LGA program.

Property taxpayers in greater Minnesota have seen the damage done by lost LGA funding and need a candidate who will stand up for the LGA program. Strong, affordable communities are what support economic development and attract families to cities across the state, and Minnesota needs a governor who understands that connection. In the coming months, mayors, city officials, and citizens will travel the state and encourage communities and local media to ask candidates where they stand on LGA and how they plan to address rising property taxes. Greater Minnesota needs to know who will fight for their communities when it’s time to make the tough choices.

Even though library usership is spiking across the country as a result of the recession, book-buying budgets, library hours, and staff numbers are taking a hit. That’s the case in Austin and Albert Lea, according to the Albert Lea Tribune. Both cities are facing budgetary challenges as a result of cut LGA.

Libraries deal with budget reductions, Albert Lea Tribune, 9/2/09

In Austin, ”a librarian position open as the result of a retirement is not expected to be filled until 2011, and the city’s preliminary budget for the library in 2010 is slightly smaller than the original 2009 budget…’We’re a full staff person short,’ [librarian Ann] Hokanson said. ‘It’s been a very stressful summer.’” 

In Albert Lea, “Library Director Peggy Havener said the library has proposed cutting open hours from 55 to 44 during the week, which could mean two less days of operation.

In addition, the Albert Lea Public Library is planning on cutting three part-time employees, while reducing the hours for two more part-time staffers.

While the cuts still need city council approval, Havener said they are likely to go forward and speak toward the dire situation facing the library.

‘It’s the only way we really had to go,’ she said. ‘It’s not something we want to do.’”