Resolution Number 12-22
RESOLUTION NUMBER 12-22
CALLING FOR A SPECIAL SESSION
WHEREAS, the people of Minnesota have critical infrastructure needs, including the replacement and upgrade of aging drinking water systems, sewage treatment, roads, and bridges that cannot be delayed, and
WHEREAS, without additional funding through a bonding bill, cities will have to drastically raise water rates or taxes on residents and business to pay for necessary infrastructure projects made even more expensive due to inflation, and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Legislature failed to pass a bonding bill in the 2022 legislative session, and
WHEREAS, Local Government Aid (LGA) is an essential aid program to Minnesota cities, helping to restrain local property taxes, and
WHEREAS, the LGA appropriation has not kept up with city needs and inflation, making it more difficult for cities to provide the public safety, core infrastructure, libraries, and other services without imposing significant property tax increases or service cuts, and
WHEREAS, the Legislature failed to pass a tax bill in the 2022 legislative session that would have increased the LGA appropriation, and
WHEREAS, the state of Minnesota has a multi-billion-dollar budget surplus, and
WHEREAS, additional funds are required to match millions of dollars in available federal funds;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF MOUNTAIN IRON, MINNESOTA urges through this Resolution to Governor Walz to declare a special session and to its lawmakers to work in a bipartisan way to pass a bonding bill and a tax bill that includes an LGA increase; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be transmitted Senator David Tomassoni, Representative Dave Lislegard, Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, Senate Minority Leader Melissa López Franzen, and Governor Tim Walz.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL THIS 15th DAY OF AUGUST, 2022.
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Mayor Peggy Anderson
ATTEST:
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City Administrator
