Forced To Choose
Minnesota cities struggle with new austerity and its effect on taxes and services
The ax or the tax? That's increasingly the question before cities, schools and counties in Minnesota as a tougher government spending environment plays out against a backdrop of a struggling economy. This Minnesota Public Radio News Ground Level special project shows the dilemma residents and leaders are coping with and the resolutions they are finding. — More about this project…
FROM THE GROUND LEVEL BLOG
For volunteer fire departments, recruits can be hard to find
In order to draw firefighters to its "paid on call" team, White Bear Lake offers pensions, health savings accounts and cheap houses to rent. May 23, 2012
LOOKING AHEAD
Looking for dollars, Minn. cities turn to sales tax
The city of Lanesboro is implementing a local sales tax in order to help pay for infrastructure projects, like repairs to the city's dam and hydroelectric plant, and to make improvements to its community center and library.
Related: Minnesota scrutinizes 40-year-old 'Miracle'
REDESIGN
Policing gets scrutiny as cities scour budgets
After whittling away at other services in response to reduced state aid, a struggling economy and declining property values, Minnesota cities are even asking just how much law enforcement they need.
Related: Photos: Holding Traverse County together
Related: Drive for efficiency changes look of local government
ASSESSMENTS
Assessment challenges grow, add to budget pressure
Cities, counties and school districts in Minnesota are paying out tens of millions of dollars this year because property owners are increasingly challenging their assessments in court.
UNIONIZATION
In Brooklyn Park, tight budget spurs unionization effort
Brooklyn Park could become the first city in Minnesota with a union representing its part-time firefighters. If the unionization effort succeeds, it probably won't be the last.
PAST CHOICES
Paying for past choices: Cities struggle with infrastructure
Many cities are stuck with unfinished housing projects, empty industrial parks and infrastructure expansions that once looked promising but now feel burdensome.
SMALL TOWNS
Small towns are often 'just one disaster away'
Tough economic times are forcing cities of all stripes to re-examine how they spend tax dollars. In Floodwood, many worry their actual existence is endangered.
SCHOOLS
Growing quickly, Austin schools expect close vote on expansion
Unlike most outstate Minnesota school districts, Austin's is growing and it has placed before voters a $29 million expansion plan. Officials are expecting a close vote.
Related: Owatonna asks taxpayers to preserve school history, fund future
PUBLIC SAFETY
Nowthen voters will weigh price of public safety
The people of Nowthen, a city northwest of Minneapolis, have a choice to make this year: increase taxes or sacrifice police service.
Related: At meeting, residents grapple with police issue
Related: Two tax decisions: Same result from opposite directions
Foley approves plan to hire private security
Officials in the central Minnesota city said the change will save $53,000 a year and was necessary to cope with state cutbacks in funding to local governments.
Related: Foley suspends plan to hire private security guards
Related: Foley to hire private security to patrol streets
CUTS TO LIBRARIES
Cash-strapped cities cut library services
Looking to save money, cities are scaling back libraries by cutting hours, staff and acquisitions.
Related: Duluth ballot asks for tax raise to restore services
CITY SERVICES
With budgets under pressure, cities fray at the edge
Making ends meet while keeping taxes down has led mayors and city planners to look hard at their budgets and make choices.
BUSINESS
Tax hike saddles business, property owners
Chris Keenan has run a small cabinet-making business here for nearly 35 years, but the recession cut work and forced layoffs. Now, like businesses all over Minnesota, he's facing another blow with a property tax hike next year.
INNOVATION
For Grand Rapids, cash crunch spurs innovative ways to save
The Legislature's decision to cut local government aid funding has compelled local officials across Minnesota to find ways to slash budgets and become more efficient. Grand Rapids is leading the way, trimming the budget, lowering property taxes and avoiding major cuts in services.
RENTERS
Property taxes poised to push up rents in Minn.
If you rent an apartment in Minnesota, there's a good chance your rent will go up next year. High demand and the fewest vacancies in 10 years are two big reasons. But a state change in property taxes is another big factor.
FROM THE GROUND LEVEL BLOG
For volunteer fire departments, recruits can be hard to find
In order to draw firefighters to its "paid on call" team, White Bear Lake offers pensions, health savings accounts and cheap houses to rent.
May 23, 2012
Central Minnesotans kick the tires of regional plan
At a meeting in Baxter on Tuesday, more than 100 people gathered to comment on draft recommendations for a central Minnesota regional plan.
May 9, 2012
After inflation, county spending flat; tax revenue portion rising
Spending by Minnesota's 87 counties has declined slightly over 10 years when adjusted for inflation, the new annual report from the state auditor shows. Property taxes are gradually accounting for more of the counties' revenue.
April 23, 2012
More people are getting there in Montevideo
Minnesota's fastest growing transit system over the past five years? The one run by the small town of Montevideo.
April 18, 2012
3 counties try virtual dispatch consolidation
Three western Minnesota counties are combining emergency dispatch efforts virtually -- keeping their centers open but collaborating on equipment and staffing.
March 21, 2012
WRAPPING UP
Forced to choose, communities raise taxes, cut jobs
Tax hikes and job cuts are two main themes emerging from recent trends and decisions Minnesota's 3,200 cities, counties, townships and school districts have been making the past several months.
REPORTERS' TAKEAWAY
Changing definition of community
Necessity spurs government reinvention
UP CLOSE
Places to watch
Eight communities especially worth keeping an eye on through 2012 and beyond as state fiscal policies, demographic changes and demands for efficiency continue to force hard decisions.
People to watch
As communities face tight budgets and calls for more efficient government, leaders have accepted the challenge to varying degrees.
FAQ
A primer on why local governments in Minnesota are feeling pressure and what they're doing about it.
ON AIR
A conversation about the new austerity on Midday
INTERACTIVE
Tell us about your taxes
Readers are sharing their views about property taxes and what they think of the local services. Read more about what they have to say and join the conversation.
Charting property taxes
An MPR News sample of more than two dozen places shows that in most of them the estimated property tax in 2012 on a median value home is rising. Get more details in this interactive graphic.
VIDEO
Why are Minnesota property taxes going up?
Most homeowners in Minnesota will see their property taxes go up next year. Watch this video to find out why.
For more on the shift from a homestead credit to a homestead exclusion, here's an explanation from House Research. (PDF)
TRUTH IN TAXATION
Struggling Ely taxpayers confront city leaders
Ely residents are pushing back at city leaders who raised the tax levy by 20 percent to cover diminishing state aid.
Related: Under pressure, Ely scales back proposed property tax hike
Related: Hennepin County taxpapers question falling home values, rising taxes
Related: Ramsey County hearing spotlights taxes vs. services dilemma
ELECTION RESULTS
Voters made careful choices
Most Minnesota voters said yes to tax levies in this year's election. But that doesn't mean their message is "please raise my taxes."
Related: Voters OK 70 pct. of school referenda; many raise taxes
Related: Virginia, Minn. voters approve charter change to save local hospital
Related: Duluth approves tax for parks, rejects three school requests
MINNESOTA TODAY
Candidate filings: Bemidji will have mayoral race | Bemidji Pioneer — May 24, 2012
Mayor highlights efforts to fight blight in Duluth | WDIO — May 10, 2012
State auditor's study recommends a closer look at government consolidation | Minnesota Public Radio — May 9, 2012
COMMENTARY
Consolidation isn't the answer to the problems of our towns
RESOURCES
In The Spotlight
-
Sound Learning
Looking for ways to ensure your students are doing quality research from credible sources? Sound Learning is a launching point to Minnesota Public Radio's content on the Web. -
The Current Music Blog
Your daily note for good music, news and pop culture. With attempted jokes.
- Become a Member
- Member Connect Accounts
- Leadership Circle
- Sustaining Members
- Member Discounts
- Become a Sponsor
- Tax Information
- Planned Giving
- Vehicle Donation
- Donate Stock