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Getting to Ridgedale Confused about property taxes?
<br /> may be easier now — 'Are cities,counties on its portion,the overall tax bill will go
<br /> Here's good news for motorists: ;READ and school districts up because of increases by the county
<br /> there will be no changes in traffic out of control in their and school district.
<br /> patterns in the Ridgedale area until ''
<br /> tom.. N■ spending?Is there a What is clear about tax reform is
<br /> next summer.Construction taking homestead credit or that it has not resulted in simplifi-
<br /> place this winter will be off the traveled Isn't there?Why does the City say its cation. If anything,the system is even
<br /> roadways.This will include excavating portion of the tax bill is lower,yet my more complicated and unpredictable
<br /> between Ridgedale Dr.and Co. Rd. 73 property taxes are projected to go up than in the past..Further,the
<br /> for the future South Frontage Road again in 19897" legislature has made a decision to
<br /> and cutting down the hill north of These are all appropriate questions transfer more money from the metro-
<br /> Ridgedale Center on what was reflecting the confusion over property politan area to greater Minnesota.
<br /> Ridgedale continued on page 2 tax"reform" implemented by the While some transfer is appropriate,
<br /> legislature over the last several years. research shows that the result is an
<br /> There are explanations. unfair disparity.For example,the
<br /> Primary is a legislative decision to average property tax paid in 1988 by
<br /> Holiday redistribute state aids on a propor- families making between$15,000—
<br /> y tionately greater basis to outstate local $35,000 is about$600 in the
<br /> Members of the Minnetonka governments and school districts. metropolitan area and about$350 in
<br /> Historical Society invite you to a The result in the metropolitan area, rural Minnesota.Similar inequities
<br /> Christmas Open House Sun.,Dec.4, generally,is that these taxing exist when taxes on similar homes are
<br /> I 1 a.m.-4 p.m.at Charles H.Burwell jurisdictions must levy considerably compared. In significant part,this
<br /> House, 13209 McGinty Road East, more just to maintain spending levels, occurs because outstate taxing
<br /> Minnetonka.There rill be Victorian For example, it is estimated that the jurisdictions are more favorably
<br /> decorations,house tours;a display of Minnetonka School District's levy for affected by the property tax system
<br /> Victorian Christmas toys and dolls from 1988-89 needs to be increased by than their metropolitan counterparts.
<br /> Hennepin County Historical Society about 15%just to compensate for a What can you do?The City has been
<br /> and refreshments.Park across the street loss in state aid.This is not an lobbying hard with other metropolitan
<br /> at Burwell Community Center. aberration but a well-designed trend. communities to represent your
<br /> The Minnetonka Orchestral For the most part,in the metro area, interests with the legislature,with
<br /> Association presents the following free property tax increases next year will some success.You also need to make
<br /> holiday concerts: occur because of lower state revenue. your feelings known.Contact your
<br /> Perhaps no single part of the tax legislators and let them know that
<br /> Handel's Messiah,9th annual sing- reform effort has received more something needs to be done to
<br /> a-long,Sat.,Dec. 3,Gethsemane notoriety than the homestead credit. provide a fairer distribution of property
<br /> Lutheran Church,715 Minnetonka The reason for the controversy and tax relief.
<br /> v Mills Rd.,Hopkins. publicity in the last several months is
<br /> Christmas Festival, 15th this:while the homestead credit will Make your home fire-
<br /> annual,featuring the still remain for the property taxpayer,
<br /> Symphony Orchestra,Civic there is no longer assurance that the safe for the holidays
<br /> and Youth Orchestras, cities,counties and school districts will The holiday season is a very special
<br /> Symphony Chorus,Senior be reimbursed equal to that credit,as
<br /> time of year for all of us. However, it
<br /> Chorale and Children's has always been the case.This may
<br /> mean that local government will need can also bring many serious and
<br /> � Choir,Sun.,Dec.4 and 11, unsuspected fire hazards into your
<br /> 7:30 p.m.,Eisenhower to levy even more to make up the home. Here are some suggestions to
<br /> difference between the credit
<br /> < Community Center, 1001 help make your home fire-safe during
<br /> Highway 7. taxpayers receive and the compen- the holiday season.
<br /> sating payment local governments
<br /> Child's Play Theatre receive from the state. ■ Buy only fresh,firm trees.
<br /> ' Company presents Lastly, it is possible for a portion of ■Cut off the base of the tree before
<br /> "The Wind in the the overall tax rate to decline and yet setting it in the stand;check water
<br /> Willows"opening Dec. not prevent an overall tax increase. level daily.
<br /> 2 and running through The propery tax dollar is shared by a ■ Locate the tree away from sources of
<br /> Dec.28 at Eisenhower number of jurisdictions.School heat.
<br /> Community Center. districts usually receive about 50%, ■Take the tree down as soon as
<br /> For information and the county about 25%,the City about possible after the holidays.
<br /> reservations,call 15/0,and all others, 10%.Therefore if
<br /> 936-0484. as will occur in 1989 in Minnetonka, `Absolutely never put lighted candles
<br /> the City's levy will result in a decrease on or near any evergreen decorations.
<br /> Fore-safety continued on page 3
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