David, I think the referendum money is the same, it isn't impacted by the levy cap. But the library board is now asking for more operating money and that is impacted by the cap. Some of us asked when the referendum went through if the library would need more operating money as individual and the downtown libraries were expanded. We basically got the runaround on this issue. CLIC asked the same questions. Citisens should realize however that the referendum will start to kick in this year. Therefore, this 8 percent levy cap will result in an 11 percent tax increase, plus the $4 million levy for the MCDA, plus the referendum.
As to the Park Board and Annie Young's recent post. I find it duplicitious for the Park Board to say projects in the neighborhoods will be cut because of the levy increase. If they are so concerned then why not put off their new offices on the river. This project and their other capital projects come out of the city's $18 million per year net debt bonding capacity. Most of those projects queue up over a period of five years. The Park Board didn't have any problem getting $5.5 million for their new offices ($3 mil purchase price-$2.5 million renovation costs) thereby causing havoc with this process. Something would have had to be bumped in order to allocate that money for a new office. If they're really concerned about those projects they would cancel this river building purchase. Secondly for Young to say they made this big sacrifice for the library referendum is hogwash. For the past three years they have gotten not only an extra bump from the city for operating parks but the city has taken over the Park Board's sewer system (maintenance and reconstruction) and some other public works duties. Last year when Barrett Lane tried to moved about $4 million of their money into the MCDA I helped lead the successful charge to leave if for the Park Board. I'd rather they had it then the MCDA, given their spending record. The claim that somehow the Park Board has been mistreated is bogus. the council has done a lot to protect them from budget cuts because they know the importance of parks. But when the City has budget problems, which everyone including the Park Board knew were on the horizon, they're going to have to take their lumps like everyone else. And certainly asking for a new building for themselves in a budget crisis doesn't sound like sound fiscal management. Lisa McDonald East Harriet >From: "David Brauer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "Mpls list" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [Mpls] Is the City Council playing fair? >Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 18:28:26 -0500 > >I haven't reached any conclusions yet, but I hope there's a little more >chatter about the council's recent budget framework. > >A couple of things I'm wrestling with: > >1. Is it appropriate for the council to cut the Park and Library boards' >local government aids (which the council apparently controls), >checkmating those two "independent" boards' ability to set their own tax >levy? I understand this is to enforce the 8% levy cap. But, is the >council undermining the spirit of these boards' independence? Should the >council merely police itself? > >2. Is it fair to fold the library boards' referendum money within the >levy cap? The library board received specific voter approval for that >money - shouldn't it be counted on top of whatever cap is set? I mean, >maybe it means lowering the 8% limit to 7%, or keeping the 8% plus the >referendum money. > >Comments from all appreciated. > >David Brauer >King Field > >_______________________________________ >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 _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com _______________________________________ 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
