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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.
Forced to Choose
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.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.
Cash-strapped cities cut library services
Looking to save money, cities are scaling back libraries by cutting hours, staff and acquisitions.
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.
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.
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.
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
Summing it 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
by Dave Peters
Surprising depth of agonizing
by Curtis Gilbert
Necessity spurs government reinvention
by Jennifer Vogel
Question of survival
by Tom Robertson
Primer
What is putting so much financial pressure on local governments in Minnesota?
A primer on why local governments in Minnesota are feeling pressure and what they're doing about it. Learn more »
Ground Level on Rural health care
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.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.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.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.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 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.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.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.Cash-strapped cities cut library services
Looking to save money, cities are scaling back libraries by cutting hours, staff and acquisitions.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.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.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.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.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.
On Air
A conversation about the new austerity on Midday
more from Ground Level
Minnesota scrutinizes 40-year-old 'Miracle'
Photos: Holding Traverse County together
Drive for efficiency changes look of local government
Owatonna asks taxpayers to preserve school history, fund future
At meeting, residents grapple with police issue
Two tax decisions: Same result from opposite directions
Foley suspends plan to hire private security guards
Foley to hire private security to patrol streets
Duluth ballot asks for tax raise to restore services
Commentary
Consolidation isn't the answer to the problems of our towns
Charles Marohn, president of Strong Towns
Minnesota Today
Ground Level Data and Resources
Explore taxes
Up close on individual taxes
Readers have been 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.Property Tax
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.
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.
Under pressure, Ely scales back proposed property tax hike
Hennepin County taxpapers question falling home values, rising taxes
Ramsey County hearing spotlights taxes vs. services dilemma
Property Taxes - Video
Why are Minn. 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)
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."
Focus on local elections
Voters OK 70 pct. of school referenda; many raise taxes
Virginia, Minn. voters approve charter change to save local hospital
Duluth approves tax for parks, rejects three school requests
Resources
MinnBid.org
The State of Minnesota Online Auction program for auctioning off surplus or outdated resources
League of Minnesota Cities
A membership organization dedicated to promoting excellence in local government
Association of Minnesota Counties
A voluntary, non-partisan statewide organization that has assisted the state's 87 counties in providing effective county governance to the people of Minnesota since 1909.
Minnesota School Boards Association
The purpose of the Association is to support, promote and enhance the work of public school boards and public education.
Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities
Our mission is to develop viable, progressive communities for businesses and families through strong economic growth and good local government.
A closer look at Minn. Stat. § 273.13, subd. 35.
Explaining the new homestead exclusion in the 2011 omnibus tax bill.
Ground Level: a Minnesota Public Radio News project examining community issues across Minnesota
We identify topics that are significant and complex and that play out uniquely at the local level. We want to explore those issues in which people taking action in their communities make a difference and can serve as guides for others.
Ground Level launched in early 2010 and shines a light on a variety of topics, from the growing complexity of Minnesota's local food system to cities preparing for new fiscal realities, from exurban growth in Baldwin Township to the quest to expand broadband access across the state.
We experiment with coverage on a variety of platforms. This includes text, audio and video online, of course - the Ground Level blog, a series of topics pages and social networking, for example. It also includes on-air coverage, public forums both virtual and real-world and collaboration with community-based media.
Our audience consists of Minnesotans interested in community life, particularly those who are taking an active part in it or helping others do the same.
Ground Level is very much an experiment -- in finding ways to learn about and tell stories, in working with other organizations, in walking up to the line between providing insight and advocating specific actions. Our goal is to inform and give people the ability and incentive to engage with their community. We invite your feedback and your ideas, via the blog, twitter at @MPRGroundLevel, phone calls, emails, whatever. Join us.
About the team:
Dave Peters
Dave Peters directs MPR's project on community journalism, looking for ways Minnesota residents are making their towns, cities and neighborhoods better places to live. He joined MPR News in 2009 after more than 30 years as a newspaper and online reporter and editor. Contact Dave
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