HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-051 Council ResolutionCITY OF LINO LAKES
COUNTY OF ANOKA
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 03 -51
A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE MNNESOTA LEGISLATURE
TO PRESERVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTROL
WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota is faced with a budget deficit in excess of $4 billion for the 2004 -05 biennium;
WHEREAS, reductions in aids to local governments will be part of the state's budget balancing efforts; and
WHEREAS, local governments in Minnesota operate on a calendar year budget, have already certified their
property tax, levies for 2003, and have budgeted for LGA payments and market value homestead credit
reimbursements as certified by the Department of Revenue; and
WHEREAS, local Mayors and City Councilmembers have been elected by the people and are directly accountable
to those people for local government operations; and
WHEREAS, local elected officials are closest to the people and possess an in -depth knowledge of local conditions,
concerns and priorities; and
WHEREAS, state mandates and legislative restrictions on local government erode our system of democracy,
undermine local elected official authority and accountability and restricts local government ability to respond to
changing community circumstances; and
WHEREAS, the challenge of balancing local budgets while maintaining valuable public services will require
innovation, responsiveness to unique constituent needs and flexibility at the local level.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Lino Lakes calls on the Minnesota Legislature to NOT
enact mandatory levy limits, levy freezes, local government salary freezes, restrictions on employee pension or
health insurance contributions, reverse referendum requirements, restrictions on local government debt issuance or
any other limitation on local governments' ability to respond to the loss of state aids in a manner that best reflects the
challenges and service priorities of their individual communities.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Lino Lakes, Minnesota this 14th day of April, 2003.
ATTEST:
Ann J. Bla}r,/City Clerk
�el erg ''son, Mayor