Regarding the proposed cuts to Park Board budget, and planned protests as described by Anne;
We're all hearing about the $2 BILLION state budget shortfall. Many of the budget cuts at the state level will be directed to accounts and city programs here in Mpls., thus the city will literally lose millions as the state balances it's budget. This will necessitate city budget cuts beyond those associated with the revised TIF laws. And, also consider the fact that city budgets are basically funded with regressive property taxes. Why should the Park Board be excused from the necessary budget trimming any more than other programs and projects the city operates. Everything should be fair game in this budget review and all programs should probably take a hit in the process... a share-the-pain approach. It was just last week we were hearing (from Annie and Dean Z, I believe) that money was no problem with the Park Board-- you could easily expand land holdings (Riverview site) while maintaining everything else as well. And, yes, even NRP will be taking a hit in these budget-cutting efforts, since the 'full funding' scenarios being discussed provide 'full funds' over an extended period of time-- which, because of inflation, means that the present value of their 'full funding' will be less than it would have been if allocated over a shorter time period-- they will buy less over the extended period than they would have over the shorter period. Thus, NRP is also taking a hit-- but they will be surviving! When the money isn't there something has to go! I think the city needs to deal with losses of about $25-$30 million annually over the next decade just in the community development areas of the budget, and I'm sure that is just the tip of this iceberg. As for the 'administrative fees,' even Solid Waste pays a 3.5% overhead fee into the general fund. There can be little more sacred in Park Board activities/budgets than in those of fire, police, sewerage and roads, and community development programs. Rather than blindly organizing citizens to protest any cuts, I suggest the Park Board work to decide where their priorities lie and develop their budget requests accordingly. That is the role of our elected leaders-- to make things work given the real world constraints faced. Michael Hohmann 13th Ward > > -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Annie Young Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2001 11:41 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] My apologies and Park Board Rally snip On to Park Board issues. There will be a Park Board rally at 10:00am on Wednesday, Dec.12th to protest the incredible $2.7 million dollar cuts being proposed by some Councilmembers during the budget markups this week. Along with also receiving an $800,000 administrative fees bill we received (that caught us off guard) from the City these vast amounts will devastate the park system, primarily in the maintenance and recreation parts of the system. If the cuts are put in to place it could mean things like: reduced hours of service, loss of jobs, cutbacks on new roofs on seven centers and not getting the "new" Rosacker pool completed. Both teen programs Youthline and Teen Teamworks are threatened as they received cuts from the Youth Coordinating Board which we couldn't make up if the proposed cuts occur. All this as we begin land acquistion and establishment of a northside/on the river regional park system and more for the next half century or so. We all understand and support the NRP program but as elected officeholders, staff and supportive constituents do not see it as fair and/or just to cut back Park and Library board agreements in order for the funds to be used to help save the NRP. If you are interested in participating to show your support for parks fell free to join us at 4th and 4th in the courtyard of the Federal Center where we will gather before efforts move across the street. If you can't attend please still feel free to call your councilmember and express your support of keeping park board funds as they were negotiated and promised last year at this time. This should not be about politics (even though it is) - park advocates believe this is about kids and the citizens of Minneapolis who love and use their parks all the time - often mentioned as the number one reason people live here. JOIN US during these difficult financial times, we need all the support we can get, Annie Young East Phillips Mpls Park Board Commissioner at-large _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
