The Park Rapids Enterprise reports that the city councils in Akeley and Nevis recently decided to reduce their public safety services. In Akeley, the police chief’s hours will be cut down to 20 hours per week, and all part-time officers will be eliminated, resulting in a $40,000 savings. In Nevis, the city council voted to disband the police department, which was staffed by a single constable. This reduction amounts to an $18,000 savings for the city.  The city will contract with the county to provide future public safety.

Cities across the state are making difficult budget choices as a result of steep state aid cuts. As the mayor of Akeley noted, the city can only afford to fund the most “serious necessities,” such as water, sewers, and roads. Cutting down to the bone has serious ramifications for the viability of greater Minnesota. Strong, affordable services are imperative to attracting new businesses, jobs, and families to greater Minnesota communities, and right now, cities can’t afford to invest in these services. The state must recommit to the LGA program in order to ensure the future economic health of our communities.

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.

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.’”

In the latest update to our “It’s Hitting Home” series, city and county officials in the Mankato area discuss the “perfect storm” that will hit local property taxpayers as a result of state aid cuts.

Mankato:
2010 budgets worrisome, Mankato Free Press (8/28/09)

State aid is slashed. Property values are dwindling. According to Blue Earth County Administrator Dennis McCoy, that combination creates “the perfect storm.” Even though spending is staying essentially flat in the area, home and business owners will see an increase in their property taxes just so that cities and counties can provide an adequate level of services.

As city councils across the state begin their 2010 budgeting discussions, cuts to LGA will force tough decisions, and residents will be confronted with reduced services and increased property taxes.

Over the next few months, Thank LGA will be bringing these city stories directly to you through our It’s Hitting Home series. The common connection between these stories is clear: cutting LGA results in cuts to essential services and increases in property taxes. LGA is what keeps Minnesota communities strong, and it needs to be protected in 2010.

St. Paul
Tax increases, spending cuts proposed for 2010 St. Paul budget, Pioneer Press, 8/11/09

To address a steep cut in state aid, Mayor Chris Coleman has proposed increasing the city’s levy by 6% and the public works right-of-way assessment by 6.8%. The city may also have to lay off as many as 45 people next year, which will negatively impact the various services they provide.

Bemidji
Budget crunch hits city; City Council votes 4-3 to cut one position, Bemidji Pioneer, 8/11/09

In a contentious decision, the Bemidji City Council voted to eliminate the city’s community development director position. This position performed such tasks as grant-writing, managing the city’s economic development programs, and maintaining communications with the Greater Bemidji Area Joint Planning office.

North Mankato
North Mankato weighing budget options, Mankato Free Press, 8/11/09

The City of North Mankato expresses its frustrations with what appears to be an impossible situation: a nearly $500,000 budget hole from lost LGA and few favorable solutions.