04/14/2003 Council Minutes (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 14, 2003 APPROVED 233 •34 Councilmember Dahl expressed concern that this could backfire on them when the State budget is 235 back in sync, at which time the State could say since they wanted to be on their own, they can be. 236 She asked for another example of decisions that would be reversed. City Administrator Waite Smith 237 stated any decisions regarding budget, if they impose the tax levy restrictions. She explained that 238 what the State Legislature is proposing to do is tie their hands so they could not recoup money, and 239 would eventually have to lay off staff to balance the budget. 240 241 Councilmember Reinert asked if the point of what was going on with the levy being imposed and 242 salary caps was that some cities get a higher percent of their budget from the state, and the intent was 243 that cities would not increase taxes to recoup the loss of funds. 244 245 City Administrator Waite Smith stated this was sent to the City Council two weeks ago to see if they 246 wanted to consider it. It only says Lino Lakes would prefer that decisions that affect local 247 government be left to local government to make. She indicated her example showed an unintended 248 result that would occur by imposing this on all cities. 249 250 Councilmember Reinert stated this was kind of a non -issue for Lino Lakes, since only 2% of their 251 budget came from state funds. City Administrator Waite Smith disagreed, stating when Target came 252 in, a tax abatement agreement was made, which says Lino Lakes could have a special tax levy to gain 253 the $103,000 per year in tax revenue. That would be lost if the State has their way. 254 255 Councilmember Reinert stated he was all for retaining local government control. 56 257 Councilmember O'Donnell moved to Adopt Resolution No. 03-51 calling on the Minnesota 258 Legislature to preserve local government control. Councilmember Reinert seconded the motion. 259 260 Councilmember Carlson asked to read the last paragraph of the resolution, which says: 261 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Lino Lakes calls on the Minnesota 262 Legislature to NOT enact mandatory levy limits, levy freezes, local government salary 263 freezes, restrictions on employee pension or health insurance contributions, reverse 264 referendum requirements, restrictions on local government debt issuance or any other 265 limitation on local governments' ability to respond to the loss of state aids in a manner that 266 best reflects the challenges and service priorities of their individual communities. 267 268 Councilmember Carlson stated the restrictions are so extensive, they could severely hamper running 269 the City, and therefore she will vote yes. 270 271 Mayor Bergeson stated he believes the City Council is elected by local residents to make decisions on 272 their behalf, and staff is hired to implement those decisions on behalf of the residents. He feels they 273 should support that process if they can. 274 275 Motion carried unanimously. 276 277 PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT REPORT, DAVE PECCHIA 278 a2279 There was none. 80 6