HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 2000-075CITY OF PLYMOUTH
RESOLUTION 2000-075
ESTABLISHING PRIORITY ISSUES
FOR THE 2000 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
BE IT RESOLVED by the Plymouth City Council that the following issues are established as
priorities for the City of Plymouth in the 2000 legislative session:
Levy Limits. Levy limits were first enacted in 1972 and were in effect until 1993. They were
then replaced with the truth in taxation process. Levy limits were reenacted in 1997 as part of a
tax bill that reduced school levies statewide. Local officials can best determine the budget and
service levels for their communities, and will make responsible decisions on property taxes
without artificial limits. The City encourages legislators to allow levy limits to expire at the end
of this year.
Membership in Watershed Management Organizations. In 1999, the legislature enacted a
restriction that will prevent city employees from serving on watershed management organization
boards. This will prevent staff who have an interest and expertise in watershed management
issues from serving. The City supports a combination of city official and citizen members on
watershed management organizations. Elected city councils have ultimate oversight of the
functions of watershed management organizations, and the state should repeal or amend the
membership restriction for the watershed management organization boards.
Sales tax exemption on local government purchases. When the State was experiencing a
budget shortfall in 1992, the Legislature repealed the sales tax exemption for local government
purchases. Cities now pay state sales tax for purchases of items such as road maintenance
equipment and building materials. This costs local property taxpayers about $90 million a year,
adding to the state's revenue surplus. Since the Legislature provided no additional state aids to
offset the cost, this policy effectively increased local property taxes to finance state government
operations. It is bad tax policy for one governmental unit to tax other government units because
this hides taxation and accountability for taxation from the taxpayers. The City supports
legislation to reinstate the sales tax exemption for all local government purchases.
Hearing for Tax Levy Rate Increase. Legislation adopted in 1999 requires cities to conduct a
public hearing and adopt a resolution if their preliminary levy certification tax rate would
increase based on an established formula. The City believes that this requirement should be
eliminated. A tax comparison formula using the same tax base for both years is confusing to the
public because it ignores real changes in the tax base that have occurred. The formula does not
allow for growth and inflation, and the requirement serves no apparent purpose in light of the
extensive Truth in Taxation process and the lack of required notice of the hearing.
Local control of residential speed limits. State law currently controls all speed limits on
residential streets. Legislation is requested allowing more flexibility for local officials to
establish speed limits for residential streets that do not have an impact on neighboring cities.
Elderly Housing. Demographic trends indicate that Minnesota's population is aging. The
region's population age 65 and older will likely double from the year 2000 to 2020. The City
encourages the legislature to provide additional resources to serve the low income elderly and to
develop policies that encourage the development of housing for the elderly that is affordable.
Regional Transit System. In order to reduce congestion and auto dependency, the Regional
Transit System should be a combination of integrated traffic management systems which include
use of HOV lanes, express buses, exclusive transit ways, and other transit modes. Park and ride
facilities for mass transit to connect the regional centers, major trip generators, and communities,
both urban and suburban, should have integrated feeder systems to accommodate local buses,
autos, van pools, bicycles, as well as walking facilities.
Transportation Funding. The entire economy benefits from a sound and adequately funded
transportation system, but resources for roads and transit systems have fallen short. Additional
resources are needed to provide a high quality, efficient metropolitan area transportation system.
The City encourages the legislature to establish a permanent and fair funding mechanism for
transit and other transportation funding and to reduce the reliance on the property tax system.
Local Control Unfunded Mandates. Local governments are empowered by the legislature to
determine many issues within statutory and charter limits. Local government services are the
most cost effective and efficient if they are provided closest to the individuals in need. The City
opposes legislation that undermines or erodes local control, as well as state -imposed mandated
services or procedures that result in added local costs. The City of Plymouth requests that the
State recognize and respect local control as a basic issue of trust between the cities and the State.
State Gift Law. The City supports an amendment to the State gift law to exempt minimal items
up to $5. This change would address the current difficult situation of elected officials being able
to attend an open house or ribbon cutting ceremony and accept a minimal level of hospitality,
such as a cup of coffee or a cookie.
Adopted by the Plymouth City Council on February 1, 2000.