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CITY OF ST. ANTHONY <br /> RESOLUTION 91-015 <br /> A RESOLUTION OPPOSING FURTHER CUTS IN STATE AID TO CITIES <br /> WHEREAS, State aid helps fund basic city services for the City of St. Anthony and aid cuts <br /> would force large property tax increases and threaten cuts in these services; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS, many city services are essential--police and fire protection, drug programs, <br /> ambulance and emergency services,and sewer, sanitation, and water services-- <br /> and affect citizens' health and safety. The state has an interest and <br /> responsibility to help finance these services; and <br /> WHEREAS, if property taxes increased as a result of aid cuts, the tax rate disparities <br /> between some neighboring cities and between cities and adjoining townships <br /> would widen causing great taxing inequities. The state has a responsibility to <br /> ensure a reasonable level of equity in its tax system; and <br /> WHEREAS, our City has already faced large aid cuts; in 1989, $85 million in aid was <br /> shifted from cities to school districts; in 1990, city aid was permanently cut by <br /> $15.6 million and the $30 million LGA inflation adjustment was eliminated for <br /> Pay 1991 and all future years; for 1992, another $29 million dollars in local aid <br /> cuts are expected to meet the budget reduction target in the 1990 tax bill; and <br /> WHEREAS, we oppose Governor Carlson's plan to cut local government aid (LGA) and <br /> homestead and agricultural credit aid (HACA) by$21 million to help solve the <br /> $197 million state budget shortfall; and <br /> WHEREAS, cities are not the cause of the current budget crisis, and cities, like our own, <br /> have proven to be frugal spenders. Per capita.city spending in 1989 was <br /> virtually unchanged from its level in 1980; and <br /> WHEREAS, while state spending on higher education, welfare, and state agencies has <br /> increased significantly, LGA and property tax relief funding have become <br /> smaller portions of state spending. <br /> THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of St. Anthony, k-4innesota, that <br /> state aid to cities be maintained at current levels; and <br /> FURTHERMORE, BE IT RESOLVED that further cuts in property tax relief programs <br /> or tightening of levy limits for Pay 1991-1993 will force the City of St.Anthony <br /> to'raise property taxes and seriously affect our ability to provide vital services <br /> to our citizens; and <br />