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• LGA payments should not be reduced from budgeted amounts after September 1 of <br />the year preceding the cities' affected fiscal year. <br />• Since the primary purpose of LGA is property tax relief, funds should be <br />distributed on a basis that recognizes each city's expenditure needs and local <br />revenue - raising ability. <br />• No individual city should be able to manipulate the formula by increasing <br />spending. <br />The LMC Board will endeavor to make recommendations on the subject of allocation of LGA <br />to cities to the League membership at the LMC Legislative Action Conference on <br />Wednesday, January 26. <br />It is important for all of us to realize that it is critical for cities to continue to <br />work together to retain any program of state aid to cities in which cities themselves <br />(will) have a voice. The State Legislature may well perceive disunity as an <br />opportunity to further diminish that portion of state revenues allocated to cities. <br />This is especially true since State Budget constraints make it more difficult to <br />continue property tax relief and aid programs. <br />Some cities appear to be willing to risk serious disunity within the League rather than <br />to enter negotiations to resolve policy differences. It is possible we will all lose <br />in such a struggle. I believe that cities have a greater need to cooperate than to <br />risk such loss of strength and mutual support. <br />In the hope that you share this conviction, I encourage you to talk with your <br />colleagues and urge them to forego unnecessary disputes on this matter and to press for <br />a process of negotiation to enable the League to exercise appropriate leadership. <br />Sincerely, <br />Josephine Nunn <br />Mayor, City of Champlin <br />President, League of Minnesota Cities <br />JN:rmn <br />