06-10-1996 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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BRENDA C. THOMAS BOARD OF RAMSEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DISTRICT 2 SANDRA DELAFOREST ASSISTANT TO COMMISSIONER May 14, 1996 Mayor Michael I. Fahey City of Little Canada 2926 LaBore Road Little Canada, Minnesota 55109 Dear Mayor Fahey: 220 COURT HOUSE ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102 TEL. (612) 266-8350 FAX (612) 266 -8370 As you may know, a proposal has been developed that would create a joint Ramsey County -St. Paul public health agency. In my view, the terms of the draft Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) are inimical to suburban Ramsey County interests. First, the Agreement transfers a $1 million tax burden from St. Paul to the suburbs. Second, the Agreement does not serve any of the philosophical or practical principles of efficiency and economy that should underpin government consolidations and cooperative ventures. And last, the adoption of such an Agreement has serious implications for similar merger agreements that might be contemplated or negotiated in the future. For your Council's review and comment, I am enclosing a copy of the Joint Powers Agreement; the negotiating team's Final Report (which endorses the JPA); and a recent commentary I wrote for FOCUS News which outlines my concerns. I'm also enclosing for your information a letter from Maplewood Mayor Gary Bastian whose council opposes the proposal as currently drafted. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with Little Canada's City Council to discuss this proposal and solicit your input. Please contact my office if you wish to schedule a meeting. A letter or resolution delineating the council's views also would be most helpful in guiding the County Board as it deliberates on this important policy issue. I look forward to hearing from you. Brenda C. Thomas Ramsey County Commissioner District 2 Minnesota's First Home Rule County printed on recycled paper with a minimum of 1096 post consumer content ,M.ry; Page 14