These questions are based on the 2003 Budget that was distributed at the Truth in Taxation hearing on Monday.
Question 1 The City plans to collect $329.4 million from selling services (primarily water) and $158.6 million from property taxes. Do you think it would be more honest to sell water "at cost" and double property taxes - so taxpayers would know how much it really costs to run the City? Question 2 (two parts) Assuming the MCDA collects the $48.8 million of "rents" and all of the TIF property taxes of $61 million, the Agency's total income would be $109.8 million. The MCDA expenditures are shown as $146.4 million. What does the Agency do with the $146.4 million? Why is there a $36.6 million shortfall? Question 3 Last year, Minneapolis received $62 million from the State. The new budget shows $158 million coming from the State. In view of the State deficit, do you think this is realistic? Question 4 The City expects to collect $146.4 million from "other" sources. This is almost as much as the total property taxes. Do you know where this money is supposed to come from? Question 5 The City is in debt for more than $1.5 billion. The budget shows "debt service" payments of $122 million. How do you plan to reduce the debts before interest rates increase? Last Question (two parts) How did we get into this financial mess? What is your plan for getting out of this financial mess? Submitted by, Vicky Heller Cedar-Riverside and North Oaks _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
