Resolution Number 27-16 IRRRB
RESOLUTION NUMBER 27-16
SUPPORT OF S.F.3582 – IRRRB REORGANIZATION
WHEREAS, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) was created in 1941 by the Minnesota legislature to provide a structure to promote economic development, assist local communities, townships and school districts within the Taconite Assistance Area (TAA} with needed infrastructure repairs, upgrades and job growth opportunities, and
WHEREAS, the funds dedicated to the IRRRB are generated from iron ore and taconite mining operations in lieu of property taxes instead pay a production tax based on tons of ore produced and the industry is also exempt from the corporate franchise tax and instead pays an occupation tax, and
WHEREAS, taconite production and occupation taxes are a major revenue source for counties, cities, towns, and school districts located in the “Taconite Assistance Area.” The Taconite Assistance Area includes all or a portion of Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Itasca, Aitkin, Crow Wing, and Koochiching counties. Part of the revenue is also paid to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB), a state agency that conducts a variety of operations in northeastern Minnesota, and
WHEREAS, a recent audit of the IRRRB by the Minnesota Legislative Auditor has determined that the current structure of the board of the IRRRB may be subject to a challenge under the Minnesota constitution, and
WHEREAS, Senate Majority Leader, Tom Bakk has authored Senate File# 3582 which effectively alters the structure of the nine member board of directors of the IRRRB to an advisory board structure and affords the Commissioner of the Agency authority to exercise fiduciary responsibility over utilization of the agency’s annual budget that will require approval of the Governor of the State of Minnesota similar to all other agencies in the state.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF MOUNTAIN IRON, MINNESOTA, that it emphatically endorses S.F. 3582 and stands united in our support to retain local control over the utilization of the taconite revenue entrusted to the IRRRB.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL THIS 2nd DAY OF MAY, 2016.
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Mayor Gary Skalko
ATTEST:
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City Administrator
