This is text from Mayor Rybak's veto message issued today.
Laura Sether
Office of Mayor Rybak
August 28, 2002
President Bob Fine
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
400 South Fourth Street, Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55415-1097
Park Board President Bob Fine and Park Board Members:
I have vetoed Park Board Resolution No. 2002-145, requesting the Board of Estimate and
Taxation set the maximum property tax levy at an estimated amount of $34,796,759, and
actions 7.6 and 8.2, as passed by the Park Board on August 21, 2002.
On Wednesday, July 24, the Board of Estimate and Taxation passed a tax policy
resolution that is necessary to bring Minneapolis's financial house in order. The
resolution and actions I have vetoed would have the Board of Estimate and Taxation
violate this tax policy resolution.
In my previous veto message, I offered several ways the City is prepared to assist the
Park Board with its financial situation. I reiterate those offers below:
* Place more police in the parks for less money.
a.) A savings to the taxpayers of $208,000 if the City were to
take over Park Board investigations
b.) A savings to the taxpayers of $433,000 if the current Park
Police becomes a precinct under the Minneapolis Police Department.
c.) A savings to the taxpayers of $1,048,000 for a complete
merger, including collapsing the command structure and integrating the officers into
existing geographically based precincts.
* Have city garbage haulers serve parks and libraries.
* Coordinate current Park Board youth athletics programs with the Police
Athletic League (PAL).
While the Park Board, Library Board and the City are independent on policy matters,
they are not fiscally independent. We're all on the same checkbook with the taxpayers.
The Charter gives the Mayor veto power over Park Board actions, because it is my
responsibility to look out for the interests of the City as a whole. This means making
sure our financial house is in order and that we are delivering services in the most
efficient and effective way possible.
R.T. Rybak
Mayor of Minneapolis
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