12Apr
The Twin Cities Daily Planet ran a series of articles about LGA and how the budget battles at the legislature could affect the future of Minnesota’s cities. These four stories highlight some of the voices in the debate and the possible consequences of the bills under consideration at the Capitol:
Cut LGA? Fighting words for mayors across Minnesota
What “no new taxes” means for local property owners
Looking for the money: What about local sales taxes?
Mayors to state lawmakers: We don’t want the Twin Cities to become Detroit
21Dec
With nearly three feet of snow falling this December in many areas of the state, some cities may plow through their snow removal budget before the end of the year. In the City of Rochester, the public works department has been overburdened by the cost of overtime for its employees, fuel for its fleet of snowplows and rental trucks for snow removal. According to a report from KTTC-TV, any additional snow accumulation may force the city to dig into other budget areas to cover the cost of keeping streets clear.
Years of cuts to LGA have forced cities like Rochester to cut essential services and increase property taxes on residents and businesses. This has resulted in increased property tax and service disparities across the state, which LGA was intended to alleviate. Cities in all corners of the state need to be strong and affordable in order to attract businesses and families, so during this upcoming legislative session, be sure to contact your legislators and urge them to maintain current LGA funding.
UPDATE: The Star Tribune reports that recent snow emergencies have also forced Minneapolis and St. Paul to deplete their snow removal budgets.
30Nov
The holidays may be upon us, but due to budget cuts, the season may not be as bright for some Minnesota communities. As reported by WCCO-TV, the City of Mankato’s local budget cuts—which have been largely in response to LGA cuts at the state level—coupled with diminishing support from the local business community have meant a gradual phase-out of the city’s holiday decorations budget.
14Sep
City Stories, Community Pools, Firefighters, Jobs, LGA, Libraries, News, Parks & Recreation, Police, Property Taxes, Senior Centers, Snowplowing, State Budget, Street Maintenance
Raising property taxes, laying off employees, cutting services, increasing fees and consolidating services with neighboring cities. These are all tactics that greater Minnesota cities are exploring as they weather a financial crisis caused by factors such as declining state aid, aging populations and decreasing property values. Minnesota Public Radio’s Ground Level blog is currently examining the issues facing cities as they piece together their budgets for 2011 and reports that after years of budget cuts, cities have few easy options to pursue. This is a must-read series that anyone interested in the future stability of cities should read. Below are selected entries of particular interest:
12Aug
In today’s issue of the Fargo-Moorhead Forum, the paper’s editorial board praises the city council for voting to rebuild a park shelter and repair a city-owned building that houses a local art museum. A livable city, the paper notes, is more than public safety and safe roads; support for quality-of-life services such as parks and the arts are what makes a city a community. For greater Minnesota cities, which tend to have smaller tax bases than their Twin Cities counterparts, funding these quality of life services without the support of LGA would be extremely difficult, if not impossible. To read the full editorial, click here.
28Jun
On June 17, a tornado ripped through sections of Wadena, Ottertail and Polk counties in northwestern Minnesota and caused significant damage in the city of Wadena. Over twenty homes were declared total losses and both the Wadena-Deer Creek high school and the city’s community center were damaged beyond repair. In an interview with Star Tribune columnist Lori Sturdevant, Wadena Mayor Wayne Wolden credits the LGA program with ensuring that emergency services in both his community and neighboring communities were at-the-ready to respond to residents in need:
“Wadena is a poor community,” the mayor explained. Its 2008 median household income was $35,569, less than two-thirds the statewide median. “But for LGA, we couldn’t afford all the services you see here.”
He elaborated: It made a huge difference that dark Thursday afternoon that Wadena had adequate storm sirens. That it had trained professional police, fire and county sheriff personnel on the scene. That it had an emergency action plan drilled into first responders’ minds. That its neighboring communities had similar state-funded assets and could swing into action.
Continue reading »
25Jun
With summer now in full swing, many Minnesotans will be hitting the roads for cabin vacations, camping, and siteseeing (Minnesota is home to the largest ball of twine, after all). Some travelers, however, are starting to notice bumpier roads, less frequently maintained parks, and shorter hours at municipal pools. One observer traveling to Alexandria even felt compelled to inform the Alexandria Echo Press of the city’s disrepair:
From about where the hospital is located, all the way up and down Broadway, the road is in bad shape—holes, ruts, depressions, patches…It presents a very poor ‘entrance’ to the city for people coming here for the first time. From my point of view, there is simply no excuse for these conditions in a city that is constantly recognized for being one of the most dynamic in our state.
Continue reading »
13May
According to the Crookston Daily Times, the City of Crookston may have few options left when it comes to accounting for LGA cuts. Having made reductions across various departments and delayed capital improvements, the city may need to reduce staff, including two police officer positions. From the report:
“No one wanted to cut two police officers and save $115,000, but with talk like we’re hearing tonight, that’s probably moving up the ladder,” said committee chair Marlys Mjoen, from ward two…Capital expenditures have been minimal at best as a moratorium has been in place for more than a year. But Ward Four Council Member Wayne Melbye said holding the line on capital improvements will only help the bottom line so much. “Sooner or later it’s going to be positions,” he said. Continue reading »
