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MINUPES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />NOVF1~'iBER 30, 1994 <br />one. Remerowski felt that the City Council was <br />accountable, pointing out the 0% net levy increase. <br />However, it is not fair to the taxpayers to allow waste <br />in government. Remerowski asked what can be done about <br />it. <br />Hanson pointed out that when the State got involved in <br />the lottery, it was thought that some of the profits <br />would go to property tax relief. However, it does not <br />seem like taxpayers are getting any benefit of this <br />money. <br />Remerowski felt that this money was going to new <br />projects that may only have been initiated because the <br />money is there. <br />Hanson reported that he has considered what property <br />owners get for their tax dollars, and for the most part <br />it is police and fire protection as well as road <br />maintenance. Most other services, such as electric, <br />telephone, Cable TV, refuse collection, etc. <br />Remerowski felt that the Legislature might listen to <br />City leaders if they were to lobby for property tax <br />reform. <br />Scalze pointed out that the City belongs to the Ramsey <br />County League of Local Governments as well as the <br />League of Minnesota Cities. Both of these <br />organizations lobby the Legislature. Scalze pointed <br />out the Truth In Taxation legislation passed by the <br />Legislature which requires hearings by cities, <br />counties, school districts, etc. Scalze noted that <br />this legislation does not require the State to hold <br />Truth In Taxation hearings. <br />The City Administrator agreed that lobbying does occur. <br />The Administrator suggested that the property tax <br />system is in a mess, and tax payers are now paying for <br />the Minnesota Miracle. School districts will tell you <br />that they have received virtually no new money for a <br />number of years, and State aids have been taken away <br />from cities and counties. The Administrator reported <br />that cities have tried to get the Local Government Aid <br />formula modified, but cannot come up with a system that <br />everyone feels is fair. Property tax relief is a <br />problem, and when it will happen we do not know. <br />9 <br />