An opinion piece in today’s Ely Timberjay makes the point that the LGA program is a critical tool in keeping property taxes affordable in lower wealth communities. In response to wealthier cities that do not receive LGA and may feel shortchanged, the author argues that strengthening the economic vitality of lower wealth cities is in the interest of all Minnesotans:
I would argue that Minnesota is one big community where citizens deserve to have basic public services and needs met with help from statewide revenues. Police and fire responders, public works, planning and zoning, utilities, a library and economic development are not too much to ask. Good governance, programs for children and teens and recreation are essential to healthy communities. We should not let small and poorer towns fall by the wayside.
To read the full column, click here.
February 14th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
In the past couple of years we have cut our city’s workforce by 18% including 1 Police Officer, we have reduced the full time city worker’s hours by 10% and the City Administrator’s pay by over $4,300 and paid no COLA. We have lost our Econmic Development Director. The other little things like the office staff are now required to clean the offices as well as the public bathrooms (this maybe a little thing to most) but ask the Administrative Assistants to do that at the Capital or for that matter Minneapolis or St. Paul. We have deleted funding for the fireworks for our towns celebration, and the list can go on. I ask that the legislature look at the cuts and at least make them fair. The small towns in Minnesota are straped and we are trying hard to keep our costs down. I as the Mayor have voluntarily given 20% of my pay back to the city and the balance will be used for public functions for the city that otherwise can’t find money for and this doesn’t amount to much. I feel all elected officials should voluntarily consider a cut at least until the budget is in better shape