[Carol Becker] "Here is my challenge back to Ms. Heller. Which of these things should be cut? Which programs and by how much? This can then be translated into property tax levels and we can talk about what the tax savings will be to the average taxpayer."
[Vicky Heller] Here are the 2003 Minneapolis budgeted expenditures: They total $1.22 billion. 231,800,000 Public Works 146,400,000 MCDA 122,000,000 Capital Improvement 122,000,000 Debt Service 97,600,000 Other 97,600,000 Police 97,600,000 Transfers to Other Funds 73,200,000 Park Board 48,800,000 Fire Dept 48,800,000 City Coordinator 24,400,000 Health & Family Support 24,400,000 Convention Center 24,400,000 Licenses & Inspections 24,400,000 Library Board 24,400,000 Other Independent Boards 12,200,000 City Attorney Without auditing each of the categories, it's difficult to identify wasteful spending - and I don't have the time or desire to do it. The $97 million of "other" spending should be identified, since it is equivalent to the entire police department. When we get the 2003 financial reports, we will see how much of the MCDA budget was reduced - note that its budget is equivalent to police and fire combined. The $146 million must include the costs of running the NRP - which in my opinion should be completely scrapped. Too bad we can't recover the $200 million that's already been spent. Until the debts and debt service are eliminated, the City should suspend payments to "Other Independent Boards." Citizens should be willing to contribute without expecting compensation. What are all of these boards anyway? What do they do? Why can't the City Council make those decisions? Property taxes should be doubled - until all debts are paid - including the new library, the new Guthrie, and whatever happens at the Sear's site. Once the debts are gone, Minneapolis will once again be the shining star of the North with more than enough money to maintain and increase its assets. Rather than spend, spend, spend, borrow, borrow, borrow, tax - I am suggesting a transition to spend, tax, pay the bills. Minneapolis is choking on debt service right now and interest rates will be going up soon. Something must be done pronto. We'll all be a lot smarter when the 2003 reports are available. Why does it take so long for the City to produce financial reports? Vicky Heller North Oaks and Cedar Riverside REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
