• 19Apr

  Libraries, public land, pools, and community centers all on the chopping block

  City Stories, Community Pools, Jobs, LGA, Libraries, News, Senior Centers Leave a Comment

  News reports from across the state are echoing the same theme: cities continue to make difficult decisions as they budget with fewer LGA dollars. In many cases, these decisions will have a lasting impact on the strength and affordability of Minnesota’s communities. Below are just a few snapshots of what LGA cuts look like.

  According to the Pioneer Press, metro area libraries are feeling the sting of state aid cuts. Because most libraries are funded through city revenue streams, the loss of LGA over the past decade has dried up library resources. While most libraries across the state have reduced hours, book-buying budgets, and employee costs, some small metro libraries may consolidate with those in nearby larger cities or are already shrinking in size to accommodate sharing space with other city programs, such as recreation centers. These service reductions come during a time when many libraries are reporting their largest usership rates. Continue reading »

• 10Feb

  Updated City Stories

  City Stories Leave a Comment

  The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities recently surveyed its members to learn how LGA unallotments are impacting their 2010 budgets. To find the new city stories, click here, or simply click the “City Stories” link at the top of the page.

• 05Feb

  Bemidji mayor responds to governor’s ‘drive-by rant’ on LGA

  City Stories, News Leave a Comment

  Bemidji Mayor Richard Lehmann responded to comments Governor Tim Pawlenty made last week on his radio show about the city and its LGA funding. To read the full column, click here. Here’s just a taste:

  In Bemidji, we’re proud of the way we have planned for hard times like these. But make no mistake: Cuts to LGA mean cuts to essential city services and increases in property taxes. Bemidji now joins the growing legion of rural cities “featured” on the governor’s radio show — a list that includes Albert Lea, Wadena and Mankato, among others — that he apparently feels he can run better than the local residents do.

  Rather than dispense his budgeting critiques from an isolated recording studio in St. Paul, I invite Gov. Pawlenty to sit down with me and my statewide counterparts to have a constructive conversation on the future he envisions for greater Minnesota. Dialogue is a two-way street, and when the governor is ready to learn about the consequences of his policy decisions, the city of Bemidji will be here.

• 01Dec

  Cities adjust snow removal policies in response to aid cuts

  City Stories, News, Snowplowing 1 Comment

  Finalizing their 2010 budgets over the next few weeks, cities across the state are making t0ugh decisions about what services to cut in light of state aid losses. The City of Mankato, which is staring down a $1.5 million cut in state aid for 2010, recently announced that it will cut its snow removal budget by keeping overtime hours to a minimum and restructuring plowing policies, such as plowing main roads before residential roads and plowing only two lanes of major four-lane roads. In some cases, snow plows may only pass residential roads once, and snow emergencies—which can close certain roads altogether—will be called more often. The city decided to implement these cuts as a way to keep property tax increases to a minimum. Learn more about cuts to snow removal budgets in the video below:
  

• 30Sep

  Mayors launch effort to hold gov candidates feet to the fire on city funding

  2010 Election, City Stories, Events, Jobs, Police, Property Taxes, Video Leave a Comment

  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 »

• 30Sep

  Worthington City Administrator explains budget challenges in city

  City Stories, Property Taxes Leave a Comment

  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.

• 16Sep

  It’s hitting home: Faribault, Alexandria, Minneapolis

  City Stories, Firefighters, It's hitting home, Jobs, News, Police, Property Taxes Leave a Comment

  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:

• 10Sep

  It’s hitting home: Albert Lea

  City Stories, It's hitting home, Jobs, Police Leave a Comment

  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.

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