tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12390365999586051372011-12-20T10:13:56.992-08:00A project of the League of Minnesota Cities.Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comBlogger1081100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-23566645687278066312011-12-20T08:53:00.000-08:002011-12-20T10:13:57.007-08:00

Legislators take note: State’s failure to honor its obligation prompted League support for MVHC eliminationBy Jim Miller, Executive Director, League of Minnesota CitiesWhen State Representative Steve Drazkowski recently offered his perspective on cities’ responses to the Legislature’s action eliminating the market value homestead credit (MVHC) program in favor of the market value homestead

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-8793784356703311582011-09-22T08:48:00.000-07:002011-09-22T08:51:03.713-07:00

Analysis: MVHC elimination supported by League of Minnesota Cities marks the end of a recurring shell gameOver the past few weeks, there has been extensive media coverage concerning the State Legislature’s discontinuation of the market value homestead credit (MVHC) program in favor of the new homestead market value exclusion. Moreover, reports about partisan arguments at the state level over who

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-51343478659460865432011-09-08T06:20:00.000-07:002011-09-08T06:26:07.713-07:00

Through comments and bean counting, fairgoers weigh-in on city services and fundingOver the 12 days of the Minnesota State Fair approximately 10,000 fairgoers visited the Cities Matter exhibit booth, sponsored by the League of Minnesota Cities. The Cities Matter booth offered interactive activities to help fairgoers understand more about city services, as well as to provide them with an

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-46012881454807575902011-06-29T10:51:00.000-07:002011-06-29T10:54:57.147-07:00

Court sides with League of Minnesota Cities on payment of local government aid and other appropriationsEarlier today, Chief Ramsey County District Court Judge Kathleen Gearin issued an order directing the State’s Commissioner of Management and Budget to “make payments such as LGA [local government aid] payments that have already been lawfully appropriated” in the event of a state government

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-76663917649650406872011-06-27T13:06:00.000-07:002011-06-27T13:08:16.687-07:00

The impending state government shutdown -- thought for the dayIn Minnesota 854 cities, 87 counties, 1,786 townships, 519 school districts – all with elected officials who don’t always see eye-to-eye – manage every year to agree to a budget, on time.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-36917605133993574492011-06-13T13:26:00.000-07:002011-06-13T13:53:24.914-07:00

Community Conversations continue in Moorhead and BemidjiThe cities of Moorhead and Bemidji recently became the fifth and sixth communities to complete a series of Cities, Services, and Funding Community Conversations sponsored by the League of Minnesota Cities. Each city hosted four conversations designed to learn resident preferences for tough budgeting choices that cities will need to make in

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-17700711097273016132011-05-11T11:02:00.000-07:002011-05-11T11:19:39.670-07:00

City residents share ideas, concerns in series of community conversationsThe community conversations component of the Cities, Services and Funding project--sponsored by the League of Minnesota Cities with funding from the Bush Foundation--is now well underway. Initial meetings were held last week and this week in the cities of Northfield, St. James and St. Paul, and more than 120 residents have

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-17021902995847009662011-04-29T11:11:00.000-07:002011-04-29T11:12:39.275-07:00

League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust names Boe as coordinator of a new loss control programThe League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) has hired former police officer and county deputy Robert Boe as its public safety project coordinator. Previously Boe has been employed as a peace officer with both the Prior Lake Police department and with the Scott County Sheriff’s office, where

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-91343612417723607542011-03-25T13:18:00.000-07:002011-03-25T13:25:03.042-07:00

Public safety bills raid Fire Safety Account and statewide radio fundby Anne Finn, League of Minnesota CitiesMinnesota House and Senate Public Safety Committees have both recommended provisions that would transfer funds from the Fire Safety Account and the Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) to the state’s general fund.The Fire Safety Account is a dedicated account derived from a

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-54137736507061701502011-03-23T10:00:00.000-07:002011-03-23T10:03:47.740-07:00

2010 Census: City population counts now availableThe U.S. Census Bureau released redistricting data for Minnesota in mid-March. This data provides the first look at local 2010 Census results and includes population counts as well as some data on race, ethnicity, and housing units. Additional data is scheduled to be released throughout the spring and summer. The League of Minnesota Cities has

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-51726071160328420362011-02-15T06:00:00.000-08:002011-02-15T06:02:38.096-08:00

League of Minnesota Cities statement regarding Governor Dayton's expected budget announcementFrom Jim Miller, Executive DirectorGovernor Dayton’s past role as state auditor, where he was charged with financial oversight of local units of government, appears to have influenced his budget recommendations. He recognizes the challenges cities face due to the fact that local budgets for 2011 were just

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-37706512117322502282011-02-14T09:45:00.000-08:002011-02-14T09:54:31.272-08:00

No more raids: Rep. Smith introduces bill to protect Fire Safety Accountby Anne Finn, League of Minnesota CitiesRep. Steve Smith (R-Mound) last week introduced a bill that would prohibit future raids of the Fire Safety Account, a dedicated fund that provides resources for firefighter training and regional efforts. Last year, against the objections of the League of Minnesota Cities and fire

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-49270079282296877922011-01-18T12:39:00.000-08:002011-01-18T12:43:39.985-08:00

Budget-balancing bill would make city cuts permanentThe League of Minnesota Cities has now posted a full analysis of the potential impact of SF 60 on state aid to cities. The article includes a link to a spreadsheet with city-by-city estimates of reductions.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-68643538728781380232011-01-18T09:34:00.000-08:002011-01-18T09:36:24.882-08:00

Statement by League of Minnesota Cities Executive Director Jim Miller re: introduction of legislation affecting state aidsState lawmakers are proposing legislation that, once again, would unduly shift the burden of solving the latest state budget crisis to local property tax payers in Minnesota. If enacted as stands, Senate File 60 would cut local government aid and market value homestead credit

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-53005616634371162022011-01-04T08:39:00.000-08:002011-01-04T08:48:01.981-08:00

Must-follows for updates about Minnesota citiesThe League of Minnesota Cities has several staff members—legislative, legal, and public affairs experts-- who regularly post to Twitter during the State Legislative session. Follow them for the latest news and policy issues affecting Minnesota cities.League of Minnesota Cities Twitter page;Cities Matter Twitter page;Gary Carlson—League lobbyist and

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-74131745264657880352010-12-16T12:07:00.000-08:002010-12-16T12:11:52.035-08:00

Governor’s rants about public employees don’t stand up to scrutinyBy Jim MillerIt’s trendy these days to blame public employees for being a primary source of our economic woes and, here in Minnesota, Governor Tim Pawlenty is driving that train for political advantage. In a recent Star Tribune commentary, the Governor rants that there are too many public employees, they make too much money, and

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-18231401722468176492010-11-08T07:39:00.000-08:002010-11-30T08:42:39.239-08:00

2011 Minnesota State Legislature to feature dozens with city government experienceby Brian Strub, League of Minnesota CitiesThe new State Legislature that will convene in St. Paul in January 2011 will continue the Minnesota tradition of including many women and men who also have served as elected city officials. Pending official certification of the 2010 election results, there will be 37 members

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-52869486813263772842010-10-26T12:54:00.000-07:002010-10-27T13:32:05.019-07:00

Gubernatorial and OSA candidates answer questions from city officialsThe League of Minnesota Cities has now completed a series of webinars with the Office of the Minnesota State Auditor (OSA) candidates Pat Anderson and Rebecca Otto, and with gubernatorial candidates Mark Dayton and Tom Horner. The webinars were designed as online discussions for League members to learn more about where

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-55790212297734697132010-09-24T09:18:00.000-07:002010-09-24T09:47:27.671-07:00

City officials in western Minnesota gather to talk about budget-balancing solutionsA combined total of 100+ city officials from the Crookston and Dalton areas gathered earlier this week for the first in a series of League of Minnesota Cities Regional Meetings for 2010. City officials discussed a variety of cost-cutting measures to offset revenue shortages brought on by a slumping economy and

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-77889613241373813012010-09-09T05:18:00.000-07:002010-09-09T05:47:59.893-07:00

Ideas, Opinions & Common SenseThe League of Minnesota Cities has posted a new video to engage Minnesota residents in a discussion of the League’s Cities, Services & Funding effort. The video ("Ideas, Opinions & Common Sense") is the second one released by the League in recent weeks. Nearly 15,000 State Fair attendees stopped by the League's Cities Matter booth during the 12 days of the Fair to

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-80559951090367457042010-08-18T08:43:00.001-07:002010-08-18T08:52:18.221-07:00

Cities Matter/OTO booth at the Minnesota State FairSince the League of Minnesota Cities launched the "Outside the Ox" campaign earlier this summer, more than 3,500 people have viewed the OTO video and several dozen have written their thoughts and ideas about the future of city services and funding. Now, the League is bringing the Cities Matter and Outside the Ox campaigns to the Minnesota State

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-36242159831187116222010-07-30T05:35:00.000-07:002010-07-30T05:59:17.367-07:00

Should Minnesota end LGA funding for cities?Minnesota Public Radio will host an online discussion about the future of local government aid today at noon. Panelists include Don Reeder from the League of Minnesota Cities and Chuck Marohn from Strong Towns. The discussion is the first in a series of MPR's "In Context" debates, that will examine important public policy issues and give online viewers

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-18627333617465266882010-07-14T05:20:00.000-07:002010-07-14T05:26:32.765-07:00

Update on Oakland police itemThe San Francisco Chronicle reported late last night that last-minute negotiation efforts on Tuesday between Oakland city officials and police union leaders failed, and 80 officers were laid-off. According to the report:Oakland Council President Jane Brunner said the city had little choice but to order the layoffs."We all agree we need more police, but we can't afford

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-86169989751345699552010-07-13T12:13:00.000-07:002010-07-13T12:51:21.412-07:00

What happens when public safety is the only service left on the chopping block?The City of Oakland, CA is about to find out. According to a local television station there, the city's police chief there has released a list of "situations" that officers will no longer be able to immediately respond to due to department layoffs driven by budget cuts. The city and the police union have until 5 p.m.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-70709694892152938602010-06-24T08:09:00.000-07:002010-06-24T08:15:48.645-07:00

Projection: Minnesota Cities Will Be Broke by 2015If current revenue and spending trends continue and no policy changes are made, Minnesota cities of all sizes in all regions of the state will be broke by the year 2015. That is the startling finding of a recently completed projection prepared for the League of Minnesota Cities by the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota,

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-20166767420185337322010-06-23T11:02:00.000-07:002010-06-23T11:09:10.606-07:00

Day 1 of LMC Annual Conference--focus on budget crisisMore than 300 city officials are convening at the St. Cloud Civic Center today for the first day of the League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference and Marketplace. This year's event offers a greater number than usual of breakout sessions devoted to handling city budget challenges in the wake of shrinking revenues and rising expenses. On

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-41636903859006716822010-06-11T06:56:00.000-07:002010-06-11T07:01:17.490-07:00

Time for thinking "outside the ox"The League of Minnesota Cities has produced a new video that takes the complex issue of the future of city funding and presents it in an entertaining and surprising way. Additionally, those wishing to weigh-in with suggested funding solutions are invited to contribute at a dedicated web site.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-85201098742818772252010-05-26T09:39:00.000-07:002010-05-26T09:41:43.693-07:00

Survey of Minnesota city officials shows growing concerns about facing financial challenges, meeting service needsOnly 17 percent of Minnesota cities reported being able to better meet service needs in 2009 than in the previous year according to survey data from the 2010 State of the Cities Report, released today by the League of Minnesota Cities. City officials from 463 cities participated in

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-51787448922143277172010-05-17T10:00:00.000-07:002010-05-17T10:03:06.193-07:00

Special Session needed to complete budget workNo third round of cuts for citiesThis morning, the House and Senate reconvened a brief special session and approved HF 1, the omnibus budget balancing bill. The bill is now on its way to the governor for his expected approval. The special session adjourned Sine Die late this morning.For cities, the bill includes no additional cuts in local government

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-47339714485062890102010-05-05T10:36:00.000-07:002010-05-05T10:42:24.413-07:00

Supreme Court Rules Against Governor in Unallotment Lawsuit(Statement published today by the League of Minnesota Cities)In a divided decision, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled against the Governor today in the Brayton et al. v. Tim Pawlenty et al unallotment lawsuit. The Court found that the Governor exceeded his budget unallotment authority last summer when he made cuts to the Minnesota

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-573984431077781322010-04-23T07:44:00.000-07:002010-04-23T09:02:56.604-07:00

Maps that illustrates city budget cuts, Part III -- City streetsThird and final in a League of Minnesota Cities series - This particular map provides a visual representation of the magnitude of recent budget-cutting actions specifically in the service area related to city streets (construction and maintenance). Actions taken may be in response to cuts made in state aid, as well as to other

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-238028779625982652010-04-14T06:25:00.000-07:002010-04-14T06:46:23.084-07:00

Maps that illustrates city budget cuts, Part II -- Parks and recreation servicesSecond in a League of Minnesota Cities series - This particular map provides a visual representation of the magnitude of cuts specifically in the area of city parks and recreation. Again, as with the public safety cuts map, note that some areas of the state may appear underrepresented because of lack of online news

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-73029868676932694342010-04-07T13:37:00.000-07:002010-04-08T05:34:43.005-07:00

Map shows Minnesota cities that have cut public safety budgets Over the past 15 months, Minnesota cities have absorbed more than $250 million in cuts to Local Government Aid and Market Value Homestead Credits – funding used to pay for a variety of city services, including police and fire protection, street maintenance, park and recreation services, and others. Additional cuts have been proposed

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-45128330252530948512010-04-01T13:43:00.000-07:002010-04-01T13:49:43.647-07:00

Ice Arena Air Quality Bill Skates Onby Brian Strub, League of Minnesota CitiesIn a case that proves that good intentions can have unanticipated consequences, legislation to improve air quality inside Minnesota’s indoor ice arenas could end up costing skaters, hockey players, and entities that operate arenas thousands of dollars in unproven equipment and training. The bill would mandate

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-2411171876183353882010-03-23T10:25:00.000-07:002010-03-23T10:42:19.080-07:00

Can you guess what they'll be talking about....?City officials from throughout Minnesota will be joined by counterparts from counties, school boards, and townships on Thursday (March 25) in St. Paul for a joint legislative conference. It's a good bet that local government fiscal conditions will take center stage in discussions. Highlights include a legislative panel featuring remarks from Senate

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-3185688805590029312010-03-12T09:12:00.000-08:002010-03-12T11:53:30.508-08:00

Cities making tough budget choices while legislators propose more mandatesLast year, in the wake of financial woes caused to cities by unallotment of state aids, officials from the state legislative and executive branches asked city associations to submit a list of mandates that could be eliminated to help alleviate city budget struggles and promote collaborations with other local governments.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-48871693188061658912010-03-03T10:09:00.000-08:002010-03-03T11:08:05.596-08:00

So, what has City Hall done for me lately?The Waseca County News has published a piece submitted by Waseca City Council member Les Tlougan that lists city service statistics in that city for 2009. Waseca's current population is approximately 9,800. All-in-all, the piece lists stats for the year related to public works, public safety, and general administration and finance. Some examples: 7,205

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-57085066823560366462010-02-19T13:58:00.000-08:002010-02-19T14:02:05.219-08:00

Governor proposes taking funds from dedicated firefighter training accountby Anne Finn, League of Minnesota CitiesA portion of funds dedicated to firefighter training will be diverted to the state’s general fund if Governor Tim Pawlenty has his way. The governor has identified the Fire Safety Account as a source of funds to help balance the state’s ailing budget. Since 2007, under a statute

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-86715968129783024162010-02-15T09:52:00.000-08:002010-02-15T09:53:45.583-08:00

Statement from League of Minnesota Cities re: Governor Pawlenty's proposed cuts in aids and credits to cities (announced this a.m.)From Executive Director Jim Miller:“At a time when Minnesota cities are struggling to make ends meet the Governor’s proposed slashing of state aids and credits is devastating news, especially on the heels of $258 million already cut since December of 2008. As

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-72055425687918441692010-02-10T08:34:00.000-08:002010-02-10T08:57:50.398-08:00

Nearly 50 cities promoting health and fitnessThe Alexandria Echo Press is reporting that the City of Alexandria has joined the growing list of Governor's Fit City Program participants. The program, administered through the State Department of Health is designed "to recognize Minnesota cities that are committed to creating and maintaining a city environment supportive of active living. A

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-82836248224226969832010-02-03T08:26:00.000-08:002010-02-03T08:38:49.170-08:00

Governor again downplays link between aid cuts and property tax increasesLast Friday, Governor Tim Pawlenty used his weekly WCCO-AM radio show to once again criticize Minnesota city officials for pointing to cuts in local government aids and credits as a reason for recent increases in city property taxes. The Governor specifically targeted the City of Bemidji referring to it as “a government town

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-30560733487663496232010-01-28T08:03:00.000-08:002010-01-28T08:44:39.338-08:00

Who wants to be a mayor? MMA guide can get you startedThe Minnesota Mayors Association, in conjunction with the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), has published an 80-page handbook that is intended as "a summary resource for practical and legal issues concerning Minnesota city mayors." The handbook is useful for newly-elected mayors, or for those aspiring to serve in that office in the near future

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-65731264225950150352010-01-21T14:02:00.000-08:002010-01-21T14:06:07.567-08:00

League of Minnesota Cities to file brief in Brayton appeal(A statement released earlier today by the League of Minnesota Cities)After an extensive discussion, the League of Minnesota Cities Board of Directors today voted unanimously to authorize League staff to seek permission to file an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in the appeal of the unallotment lawsuit that the State Supreme

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-64433226197031557712010-01-15T09:35:00.000-08:002010-01-15T10:17:57.518-08:00

More proof that aid cuts to cities = higher local property tax burdensYesterday, the Minnesota Office of the State Auditor (OSA) released a report confirming that state cuts to city aids in recent years have created a greater reliance on city property taxes as a source of revenue to pay for vital city services. According to Auditor Rebecca Otto, that trend will continue “If the Legislature and

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-75270473175988511332010-01-07T06:59:00.000-08:002010-01-07T07:15:54.475-08:00

Should local governments be eliminating jobs?A recent Bloomberg News syndicated column that was published in the Star Tribune takes state and local governments to task for failure to follow the lead of private sector companies in terminating employees as a response to the slumping economy. There are several things wrong with this critique, though, not the least of which is the fact that it

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-80868755784509885012010-01-04T13:13:00.000-08:002010-01-04T13:14:55.418-08:00

Mayor Kautz to assume USCM presidencyBurnsville Mayor Elizabeth B. Kautz will be inaugurated tomorrow as the 68th President of The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) during a special inaugural ceremony at the Performing Arts Center in Burnsville.Mayor Kautz, outgoing USCM Vice President, will serve the balance of former President Greg Nickel’s presidential term through June 2010 before

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-758884484110908102009-12-22T12:16:00.000-08:002009-12-22T12:26:01.299-08:00

Weathering the coming stormIf current forecasts are to be believed, it appears that thousands of snow plow drivers and public safety personnel in Minnesota will be spending Christmas weekend working overtime. Please take a moment this holiday season to thank a local police officer, firefighter, or snow plow operator for all they do to keep us safe and to keep our streets and highways running

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-65549935982399375482009-12-11T08:28:00.000-08:002009-12-11T08:50:47.962-08:00

Who's who for 2010?For political junkies, a list of current and former Minnesota city officials who intend to seek state-level offices in 2010. (Compiled by a colleague at the League of Minnesota Cities)State Constitutional OfficesPat [Awada] Anderson, once an Eagan Mayor, running for Governor. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, running for Governor. Randy Gilbert, Mayor of Long Lake, running for

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-67164143940382441952009-12-08T10:22:00.000-08:002009-12-08T12:28:58.569-08:00

Cities get reprieve from additional December aid cuts...but what next?In a letter sent to the League of Minnesota Cities earlier today, Governor Tim Pawlenty announced that he will not use unallotment to further reduce or delay December local government aid (LGA) and market value homestead credit (MVHC) payments scheduled for cities and counties.The decision followed a meeting last Friday at the

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-36521441079580023472009-11-25T08:22:00.000-08:002009-11-25T08:59:00.268-08:00

Newspapers weigh-in on executive authority and executive proposalBecause of the amicus briefing filed by Minnesota House Democrats in support of a recent lawsuit challenging Governor Pawlenty's unallotment authority, the case has overwhelmingly been portrayed by pundits and bloggers as a political grudge match. While there is no denying the political intrigue involved, perhaps the larger and

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-28448864898328973602009-11-17T11:35:00.001-08:002009-11-17T11:36:44.969-08:00

Budgets, Unallotment and Litigation--What is a city to do?By Gary Carlson, Intergovernmental Relations Director, League of Minnesota CitiesAt last week’s hearing of the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy Subcommittee on a Balanced Budget, Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson strongly suggested that the state would face an additional deficit announced with the release of

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-12697028866292694902009-10-30T09:55:00.001-07:002009-10-30T10:24:40.411-07:00

Help available for communities preparing for tidal wave of aging BoomersRecently, a presenter from the Central Minnesota Council on Aging warned officials from the City of Royalton of an oncoming "Silver Tsunami"--driven by the fact that every seven seconds there is someone born of the Baby Boomer generation that turns 61 years old. With rapidly aging population bases, cities will be challenged

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-23527380617744073452009-10-28T12:30:00.000-07:002009-10-28T12:37:53.465-07:00

November 3 municipal electionsFor Minnesota voters wanting to learn the location of their polling place for Tuesday's elections, the State Secretary of State's Office has launched a Polling Place Finder web site. The SOS expects a voter turnout of nearly a half-million next week. Numerous city council, mayoral, and school board seats are at stake.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-65742262948696904602009-10-20T09:44:00.000-07:002009-10-20T09:53:49.067-07:00

Even in tough economic times, cities need the artsRochester Mayor Ardell Brede, who is currently the President of the League of Minnesota Cities, is devoting his League presidential initiative for 2009-2010 to a discussion of why arts matter to Minnesota communities. In a recent Minnesota Cities magazine commentary piece, the Mayor explains why.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-22372733166213269322009-10-14T08:44:00.000-07:002009-10-14T09:03:24.475-07:00

2009 Property Tax Report details revenue challenges faced by Minnesota citiesThe League of Minnesota Cities has released its annual Property Tax Report, and it shows a weak residential housing market further adding to revenue challenges imposed by state cuts to city aid and credits, and levy limits. According to the report, city tax capacity grew by only 2.3 percent last year--a 71 percent

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-33334010933378167572009-10-06T07:53:00.000-07:002009-10-07T06:05:44.522-07:00

Cities increasingly turning to social media for info sharingA growing number of Minnesota city officials are employing social media tools like Facebook and Twitter to facilitate communication with residents and others. For example, cities are using the tools to make announcements about upcoming meetings and events, as well as project updates, and to connect followers with recent city-related news

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-37005668009766193642009-09-29T08:14:00.000-07:002009-09-29T08:45:55.888-07:00

What do city services actually cost?For the average household, a lot less than cable TV service a or cell phone plan. The City of Woodbury is among one of several Minnesota cities that includes a comparative cost chart of city services on its municipal web site. For instance, the average household in Woodbury pays $248 per year for police protection, only $63 for fire protection, and $24 for

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-77559445635734595902009-09-25T09:40:00.000-07:002009-09-25T09:59:44.679-07:00

Weekly round-upThe City of Mendota Heights chose a new administrator, and the Police Chief of Apple Valley was named as Officer of the Year. While city officials throughout the state remain concerned about state budget deficits, Governor Pawlenty said that he believes deficit projections are overblown. Meanwhile, members of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities sought to bring local

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-47558413537869502832009-09-22T11:07:00.000-07:002009-09-22T11:44:27.894-07:00

14 reasons why property taxes go up or down from year to yearAs cities work through the processes of setting levies and planning budgets for 2010, homeowners are likely wondering what those processes will mean for next year's property taxes. A couple of years ago, the Association of Minnesota Counties, Minnesota School Boards Association, and League of Minnesota Cities partnered to produce a

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-77675591269240341372009-09-18T09:21:00.000-07:002009-09-18T10:54:29.034-07:00

Weekly round-upA Star Tribune story notes that Minnesota cities are considering a variety of revenue and cost-cutting strategies to compensate for lost state aids and a downturn in general revenue as a result of the slumping economy. A subsequent editorial lauds cities for their progress, to date, in tackling the issue. After opposition from local business groups, the Mounds View City Council

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-3878645132066692352009-09-11T07:58:00.000-07:002009-09-11T08:44:31.124-07:00

State Fair bean counters choose city funding prioritiesOn Friday of last week at the Minnesota State Fair, the Cities Matter campaign (a project of the League of Minnesota Cities) invited fairgoers to choose up to six of eight city service funding priorities by casting votes with six beans at the Cities Matter display table. More than 1,000 people accepted the invitation. Here is what they

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-3239605107995554062009-09-10T06:57:00.000-07:002009-09-10T07:03:46.845-07:00

Thirteen cities receive awardsThe Minnesota Community Pride competition has awarded 13 Minnesota cities cash prizes ranging from $250 to $1,000 for outstanding achievements in community improvement. The awards were announced last weekend at the Minnesota State Fair. Best of Class winners included the cities of Lanesboro, Glencoe, and Willmar as well as the Greater Staples area.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-45703234545903142792009-09-03T12:24:00.000-07:002009-09-03T12:31:50.363-07:00

Visit Cities Matter at the State FairCities Matter, a project of the League of Minnesota Cities, will have a display table at the Minnesota Public Radio tent located in the State Fair's Carousel Park on Friday, Sept. 4th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by and learn more about the important services provided by cities in our state.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-36794329033980574172009-08-21T06:50:00.000-07:002009-08-21T06:52:14.538-07:00

See you in SeptemberI'm taking a short end-of-summer break from writing. Look for my next post on or around September 3rd. Thanks. --Don R.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-49939252491699174732009-08-14T08:04:00.000-07:002009-08-14T09:15:38.153-07:00

Weekly Round-upThe mayors of both St. Paul and Minneapolis unveiled their budget proposals for 2010 this week. Minneapolis plans to cut spending across most departments while increasing property taxes by 6.6 percent. St. Paul will also utilize a mix of expenditure cuts and a levy increase to balance-the-books. Budget discussions also continued in Red Wing, Bemidji, St. Cloud, and Newport, among

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-66749360122818534372009-08-13T07:51:00.000-07:002009-08-13T09:48:06.960-07:00

Saving $$$ easier said than doneEarlier this week, the Associated Press distributed a story to follow-up on the proposal made in January by Governor Tim Pawlenty and Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle that, as a budget-balancing measure, state governments in Minnesota and Wisconsin would work together to find and implement cost-saving efficiencies through sharing and collaboration. The governors

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-69809806677648321152009-08-07T07:50:00.000-07:002009-08-07T08:35:03.406-07:00

Weekly Round-upThe Star Tribune reported that, to help cover revenue lost through Local Government Aid (LGA) cuts, the City of St. Francis is considering selling city parkland. Other Minnesota cities contemplated budget-balancing measures for 2009 and beyond, as well. The St. Paul Pioneer Press noted that the City of Burnsville plans to discontinue its vacant property registry, and the Northfield

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-7489410471321678252009-07-30T11:46:00.000-07:002009-07-30T11:54:09.696-07:00

Red Wing’s budget input campaignMinnesota cities are finding a variety of ways to reach out and engage their citizens in the work of the city. Here is a good example, reprinted from the most recent issue of Minnesota Cities magazine, of how active citizen engagement is happening around the state. The City of Red Wing (population 16,338) recently embarked on a focused citizen engagement campaign

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-65273486401435212492009-07-22T13:11:00.000-07:002009-07-23T06:07:03.183-07:00

Taxing St. Peter to pay for St. PaulIt's not unusual for any Minnesotan to visit friends and relatives, to work, and/or to play in cities other than their city of residence on almost a daily basis. Is it reasonable, then, for Minnesotans to expect nearly the same quality of street maintenance, police protection, drinking water and other public services from city-to-city throughout the state?

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-8883967831154102132009-07-17T08:11:00.001-07:002009-07-17T08:12:03.980-07:00

League honors 27 Minnesota lawmakers as 2009 Legislators of Distinction The League of Minnesota Cities has selected 13 State Senators and 14 members of the Minnesota House of Representatives as Legislators of Distinction for 2009. The honor recognizes legislators for specific actions that aided efforts of Minnesota cities during the 2009 legislative session. Legislators of Distinction are chosen

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-62170542445117361352009-07-10T09:56:00.000-07:002009-07-10T10:53:27.186-07:00

New state law affecting city traffic violations goes into effect soonJust days after the 2009 legislative session adjourned, Gov. Pawlenty signed into law a bill (supported by the League of Minnesota Cities) that allows local units of government and the State Patrol to enforce low-level traffic offenses with administrative citations.The new law will take effect Aug. 1, 2009. However, the State

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-68286270817614663672009-06-29T13:37:00.000-07:002009-06-29T13:39:06.251-07:00

Four Minnesota cities honored for excellenceCity-administered initiatives involving government collaborations, energy efficiency, information technology, and stormwater processes were recognized late last week when the League of Minnesota Cities announced City of Excellence Award winners for 2009. Nominations submitted by the cities of Chatfield, Elk River, Roseville, and St. Anthony were

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-20367406409001555552009-06-25T12:50:00.001-07:002009-06-25T12:51:21.508-07:00

Rochester Mayor Brede named as League of Minnesota Cities president Rochester Mayor Ardell F. Brede was elected today to serve as the President of the League of Minnesota Cities for 2009-10. The election was held at the League’s Annual Conference in Saint Paul. Prior to election as League President, Mayor Brede served as First Vice President of the League and chaired the organization’s

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-21768180445122247642009-06-16T13:51:00.000-07:002009-06-16T13:54:41.343-07:00

Governor cuts nearly $193 million in state aid to citiesThis afternoon, Governor Pawlenty announced his plans to eliminate the remaining $2.7 billion state budget deficit. His plan includes $64.2 million in cuts to local government aid (LGA) and market value homestead credit (MVHC) reimbursement for cities in 2009, and $128.3 million in 2010 cuts. The 2009 cut will be computed as 3.31 percent of

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-91725168689468022902009-06-05T07:03:00.000-07:002009-06-05T07:37:40.882-07:00

Criticizing cities for maintaining rainy day funds makes for good TV, however...City fund balances have become a popular topic of discussion among state policymakers and the media. Some of these discussions include basic misunderstandings of city finances. While each city’s financial situation is unique, a new memo published by the League of Minnesota Cities provides an overview of the issues

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-38365352464469242782009-06-04T12:43:00.000-07:002009-06-04T12:50:07.966-07:00

First step in the unallotment process occurs(Statement by Gary Carlson, Intergovernmental Relations Director for the League of Minnesota Cities)As expected, the first step in the unallotment process occurred today as the Commissioner of Finance (aka Minnesota Management and Budget) notified Governor Pawlenty that the conditions exist for unallotment.At this point, we do not have any new

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-26207564681338918622009-06-03T09:22:00.000-07:002009-06-03T09:25:14.940-07:00

As if LGA/MVHC cuts aren't bad enough...Despite a strong push by the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) to repeal levy limits during the 2009 session and the fact that the House and Senate included identical positions within their respective omnibus tax bills, levy limits will remain in place for at least the 2010 budget year. The League's Intergovernmental Relations Director, Gary Carlson,

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-73651026105386787352009-05-29T08:56:00.000-07:002009-05-29T09:17:15.000-07:00

Unallotment update -- cities prepare for worstOver the past several days, there has been significant media coverage of how projected state aid cuts (local government aid and market value homestead credits) are affecting city budgets, and how cities are responding. The City of New Brighton, for example, is considering offering early retirement packages among other options while the City of St.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-64882654353813981512009-05-22T09:16:00.000-07:002009-05-22T10:45:45.611-07:00

League of MN Cities issues response to Governor Pawlenty's comments Moments ago, League of Minnesota Cities Executive Director Jim Miller released this statement in response to comments made by Governor Tim Pawlenty during a Thursday press conference:City officials from across the State of Minnesota understand the severity of the state's budget crisis. They also understand that the solution will

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-51698316685990149812009-05-22T06:31:00.001-07:002009-05-22T06:42:45.874-07:00

No city services sacred in unallotment scenarioAs Governor Pawlenty continues to again ponder unallotment, cuts to city aid of up to $282 million in the next 18 months means cities will likely be faced with making significant service reductions that are highly visible to residents. After Governor Pawlenty chose to unallot December LGA and MVHC payments for the end of calendar year 2008, the

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-16280750872814042702009-05-20T11:58:00.000-07:002009-05-20T12:17:40.660-07:00

At session's end, city aid cuts remain unresolved(analysis by Gary Carlson, Intergovernmental Relations Director for the League of Minnesota Cities)The 2009 State Legislative session ended at midnight Monday without Governor Pawlenty and legislators reaching agreement on how to balance the remaining $2.7 billion state budget deficit. The Legislature approved and sent a package of budget-balancing

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-11917485262966569212009-05-18T10:34:00.000-07:002009-05-18T10:40:47.154-07:00

Countdown to midnightWith only a few hours remaining in the State Legislative session, Minnesota cities are bracing for the damage that will be caused by a possible $450 million cut in local goverment aid. On Saturday, mayors from five cities held a press conference to voice their concerns. Officials from the City of Austin weighed-in, in print.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-87313855242122619372009-05-13T09:58:00.000-07:002009-05-13T10:07:59.077-07:00

Could “lights-on” bill mean “lights-off” for Minnesota city governments?A piece of legislation introduced this week (Senate File 2141)—a so-called “lights-on” bill-- would keep state government operational beyond July 1 even if an appropriations agreement is not reached among Governor Pawlenty and Legislative leaders prior to that date. SF 2141 is being debated by the House-side this

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-51491529193676054642009-05-12T07:58:00.000-07:002009-05-12T08:04:28.494-07:00

City drinking water quality again receives high marksFrom a news release issued today by the Minnesota Department of Health:"Tests on 957 community water supply systems during the past year have again shown little evidence of contamination problems in Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) ...The drinking water annual report includes test results for 726 city water

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-74545443154657984092009-05-08T08:38:00.000-07:002009-05-08T08:44:48.353-07:00

Brainerd city adminstrator receives MCMA honorCongratulations to Dan Vogt, City Administrator for the City of Brainerd, who received the Dr. Robert A. Barrett Award for Management Excellence for outstanding service to local government from the Minnesota City/County Management Association (MCMA) last night. Vogt was cited for his leadership in helping the Brainerd City Council and staff work

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-50125943762309992332009-05-06T09:48:00.000-07:002009-05-06T10:10:50.626-07:00

Sign of the times -- more on Minnesota city financesSome additional data from the recently-released League of Minnesota Cities 2009 State of the Cities Report.-- The current economic struggles of individuals, families, and businesses in Minnesota are translating into financial challenges for city governments. About 34 percent of cities have reported an increase in requests for deferred payment of

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-3099851763894194412009-05-04T08:52:00.000-07:002009-05-04T10:58:50.437-07:00

On potholes and public policyThe State of Minnesota has nearly 290,000 lane-miles of highways, roads, and streets, and about 16 percent of those streets are owned and maintained by cities. According to the League of Minnesota Cities' recent State of the Cities Report, about 80 percent of Minnesota cities have streets in need of repair, reconstruction, and/or other maintenance--such as seal

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-11694538072733215582009-04-30T07:05:00.000-07:002009-04-30T07:20:24.302-07:00

Housing foreclosures and failing businesses take toll on city financesThe nation’s economic recession, the decline in the housing market, and the recent crisis in financial markets have muddies city fiscal prospects in a variety of ways, according to a new study released yesterday by the League of Minnesota Cities. The 2009 State of the Cities Report shows that all of those trends have hampered

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-14598924722165855952009-04-28T08:35:00.000-07:002009-04-28T08:59:34.646-07:00

Why do city governments need lobbyists?In recent weeks, Minnesota cities have been criticized by Governor Pawlenty for spending money to lobby at the State Capitol. Certainly, with large cuts in local government aid and market value homestead credit programs on the horizon, cities have an keen interest weighing-in on the state budget debate currently underway. But that's only part of the story.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-26942321946377748342009-04-24T09:16:00.000-07:002009-04-24T09:41:15.226-07:00

A capital dispute over levy limit repealThis week, Governor Pawlenty and Senate Tax Committee Chair Tom Bakk exchanged barbs about the property tax impact of their respective state budget proposals. The Governor contended that Bakk's bill would have the effect of increasing property taxes by nearly $900 million, with a little less than half of that attributed to Bakk's proposal to eliminate levy

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-11910833096495033672009-04-23T10:05:00.000-07:002009-04-23T11:01:44.172-07:00

Little Falls residents and neighbors rally to support historic siteIf the residents of Little Falls have their way, the Charles A. Lindbergh Home isn't going away anytime soon. In the wake of a recent announcement by the Minnesota Historical Society that the site may fall victim to state budget cuts, residents have been joined by business leaders, and officials from other Minnesota cities, to

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-20627027626248476152009-04-22T09:17:00.000-07:002009-04-22T09:27:39.089-07:00

City water sparkles on Earth DayOne city service that many of us take for granted daily is the provision of clean, safe drinking water. A sidebar note included along with a recent Time magazine print version story on the state of the economy notes that bottled water sales have recently dropped by about 10 percent. The electronic version of the story is here. As people cut back on spending, they

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-48443907237213092942009-04-21T07:15:00.000-07:002009-04-21T07:26:03.254-07:00

Message from a grateful communityBill Schwandt, general manager for municipal electric and gas utilities in Moorhead has written and distributed an e-mail journal providing updates on the recent flooding situation in the Red River Valley. Yesterday, he made his final entry that included a heartfelt thank you to all who have provided assistance during the past few weeks.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-35980479063142474982009-04-17T12:40:00.000-07:002009-04-17T12:49:43.310-07:00

What business can learn from governmentWhy can't the public sector be managed more like the private sector? Governing magazine writer Ken Miller explains why--in terms of stewardship, accountability, and motivation-- this isn't necessarily a good idea. As he observes, "There's a lot that government does right. The private sector ought to take a few notes."

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-78844094835910560932009-04-15T09:28:00.000-07:002009-04-16T06:00:51.298-07:00

2009 shows little financial promise for city officialsPrelimary results of a new study released by the League of Minnesota Cities show that a vast majority of city officials are pessimistic about city fiscal conditions in the state for the remainder of 2009. Their pessimism is fueled, in part, by proposed cuts to local government aid and market value homestead credit programs. The League will

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-84277164679435823432009-04-10T08:33:00.000-07:002009-04-10T08:44:54.528-07:00

Serving community and countryWhen we think about local government, it's often easy to forget that the vast majority of elected officials are not full-time, professional office-holders or politicians. City officials are also our friends and neighbors--they are small business owners, educators, and retirees, and others devoting additional time to community service with little or no financial

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-12635153666428664562009-04-08T12:18:00.000-07:002009-04-08T12:23:27.314-07:00

More on city sustainability efforts“Green Cities: Leading The Way,” a new 30-minute documentary produced by the League of Minnesota Cities and Twin Cities Public Television (TPT), focuses on the energy reduction initiatives of four Minnesota cities--Barnesville, Elk River, New Ulm, and Minneapolis.The program is scheduled to air on the statewide digital MN Channel at the following times: April 16

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-15458190044131913752009-04-07T12:30:00.000-07:002009-04-07T12:43:36.736-07:00

Sustainability equals cost savings for citiesWhile some skeptics may question sustainability strategies being pursued by a number of Minnesota cities, a Pioneer Press article published over the weekend emphasizes the economic benefits. The League of Minnesota Cities has devoted a significant area of its web site toward promoting energy saving/green efforts among member cities.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-48743515484251731512009-04-03T10:43:00.000-07:002009-04-03T10:51:10.293-07:00

Congratulations to 2009 Local Government Innovation Award WinnersCity winners of the 2009 Local Government Innovations Awards, sponsored by the Public and Non-Profit Leadership Center of the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota, are:City of Roseville for its Police Department’s East Metro SWAT team (in cooperation with St. Anthony, New Brighton, and North St. Paul).City of

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239036599958605137.post-68044113958082615062009-04-03T08:55:00.000-07:002009-04-03T09:01:21.902-07:00

Cities add Twitter to communications mixToday's Star Tribune includes a feature story about the increasing number of suburban cities using social networking sites to post news and information for their residents.

Don Reederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454801489213349083noreply@blogger.com