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:
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01Dec
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16Nov
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.
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27Oct
Last week, the Park Rapids Enterprise editorial board chimed in on the fight to protect LGA funding. Specifically, the editorial echos Thank LGA’s call for concerned citizens to ask candidates for governor where they stand on this important issue: will candidates protect the LGA program, which funds property tax relief and critical services, or will they continue to pass the burden down to the local level? Read the full editorial here.
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30Sep
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 »
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30Sep
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.
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16Sep
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, 9/16/09The 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, 9/16/09Alexandria 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, 9/16/09Budget 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:
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10Sep
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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09Sep
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.