Agenda Packets - 2009/10/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NORTH METRO MAYORS ASSOCIATION Draft 2010 ®2014 WORK ELAN The North Metro Mayors Association (NMMA) will focus its resources during the 2010-2014 timeframe on the following Objectives and Tasks : OBJECTIVE # 1 : Advocate for NMMA Members ' interests on Legislative Issues : 1 . Local Governmental Aid a . Work with the LMC , Metro Cities and other key participants to minimize Local Government Aid and Market Value Homestead Credit cuts as the Legislature resolves the anticipated FY 2011 - 2012 Biennial Budget deficit. b . Participate with the LGA Legislative Study Commission , especially Members Anne Norris , Sen . Linda Scheid and Minneapolis Council Member Betsy Hodges , along with area Legislators to achieve long term reform of the LGA program . We will continue taking a leadership role in collaboration with other municipal organizations , e . g . , Metro Cities , the League of Minnesota Cities , Greater MN Cities and Small Cities and other partners . As needed , specific issues and formula options will be modeled to determine the outcomes they would provide for NMMA member cities . The following principles will be advanced for inclusion of in the reformed LGA program : i . Clearly identify the role of Local Government Aids as one part of the broader effort to provide property tax relief for citizens and businesses . ii . Accommodate the different challenges facing cities in terms of service needs and ability to raise revenues . iii . Establish an aid system that provides stability and predictability in aid distributions despite major changes in the State's economy. iv. Simplify the distribution formula so that it is transparent and easily understood by laypersons , the media and elected officials . c. Work with LMC and Metro Cities to eliminate existing Levy Limits and avoid future enactment of additional constraints on City autonomy. 2 . Statewide Tax Polio a . Reduce reliance on property tax revenues for funding of K- 12 Education . b . Oppose program components that reward spending with additional revenues . c . Provide State-wide initiatives that assist Cities and Counties with lower cost bond resources to replace aging infrastructure . d . Devise new tools to help cities retain and attract employment and tax base without enabling urban sprawl inefficiencies . e . Contribute NMMA ideas and issues to future State and Federal economic stimulus plans . f. If opportunities arise , encourage and participate in a non -partisan evaluation of the effectiveness of the Metro Area Fiscal Disparities and determine if any changes are warranted .