Ness addresses Duluth property taxes at Chamber forum

Erin D.
11/04/2009 12:05 AM

850 city employes? It will never change. Look who was voted in tonight. Stauber why do you even try. The real working people in that town have not a voice or a chance. Your college school govt union worker vote is more than you can ever beat. Leave while you can.

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Robert J.
11/04/2009 12:01 AM

It's commendable that Tim Pawlenty, our governor, has decided not to spend more money than what is available , thus keeping the state's finances in the black. He could be like governor Doyle of Wisconsin, where he decided the best way to run the state is to go in the hole by over $6 billion dollars. The interest alone could probably run the state for 7 or 8 months. California has a debt of $25 billion, the governor could double or triple the taxes on the public there, and still not be able to run any programs after paying off the interest. Donnie has the same problem in Duluth with $200 million in outstanding loans, we could have some nice looking streets if the interest money could be applied where it is needed the most. But Donnie still has my backing, he isn't slowly dismantling America piece by piece as our President is doing. Obama said during his campaign speeches, 'we have the best country in the world, vote for me so we can change it'. WOW!! When he gets done in four years, we sure won't recognize the mess our country will be changed into. Changing over to Socialism, One World Government, three dozen Czars appointed by him to control government, etc. But after four years as president he might get his old job back as a community organizer, they say he has more qualifications in that field than being president.

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r b.
11/03/2009 11:13 PM

Too bad that the politicians used this for their own selfish gain. LGA was going to be cut, we all knew that. Yet Duluth did nothing. Keep spending, we can blame the Gov later and make political mileage out of it. Meanwhile...we pay the price! Problem is that policians don't care about the issues, but how can the use the issue for political gain. When the individual agenda means more than the job he/she took there is a big problem.

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Jim J.
11/03/2009 8:35 PM

Duluth has relied too heavily on the LGA slush fund which makes up almost 38 percent of the general budget. The Mayor is predictably and conveniently blaming the nearly 50% property tax increase since 2007 on the LGA cuts.. The generosity of the State taxpayers won’t return any time soon so the challenge for the Mayor and Council is to: 1. Expand our tax base, 2. Spend less on non-essential services or 3. Continue the double digit property tax increases, fee hikes and borrowing. Unfortunately the Mayor and Council have failed miserably in attracting businesses and livable wage jobs. Mr. Stahl pointed out recently the City debt has now reached a record $200 million which is irresponsible spending beyond our means. There will be considerable pressure and scrutiny in the future because the taxes will be more transparent in light of the reduced LGA. There’s adequate money to meet essential services and time for Mayor Ness to reevaluate whether Duluth needs 850 City employees (more than 1 in 100 residents), aquariums, golf courses, ski hills, gas companies, etc.

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brad r.
11/03/2009 7:59 PM

Overall I think Ness has done a good job too. However, before taxes go up....again, every social program and funding to non-essential things need to be looked at. Another reason taxes are skyrocketing is because of Dixon's Red Plan. Nice job there. People should be outraged at the out of control school board and government spending. Mayor Ness should have gotten more involved with Dixon!

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Vern F.
Duluth, MN     11/03/2009 7:37 PM

If the City of Duluth, were to make their annual budget, ( less state LGA money ), of the 3.5-5 million dollars annually, of course they are going to have to make additional cuts to accomplish this task ( and not to increase local taxes ), they would not NEED to rely on the state LGA money. They should never include this funding into the City budget, as a projected income. Any state aid that does come thru, could be used for capital projects, or ACTUAL NEEDS of the City, or to reduce existing debt, BUT, to not EXPECT free money, that is actually NOT FREE, as the money comes from ALL Minnesota taxpayers. BOTTOM LINE............cut spending, and / or get additional businesses to locate here, and help to expand current businesses that are already here, so as to increase the taxbase!

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tom b.
11/03/2009 6:44 PM

Lets see ,we are broke here in Duluth, I know, lets build the cops a new place to sit on their as..s then we blame Pawlenty for cutting the gravy train. Great plan Donny!

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Bill K.
11/03/2009 6:34 PM

Well said Steven W. I don't need to say any more than that. Thank you Mayor Ness for your leadership in these tough times.

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Bruce G.
Two Harbors, MN     11/03/2009 5:53 PM

Mayor Ness is 100% correct. Over the past dozen or so years, the Minnesota Legislature and State of Minnesota has continued to diminish the amount of local government aid that is sent back to local governments (city, county and schools) thus requiring local government to increase property taxes just to maintain status quo. In addition, new legislative mandates (laws) have been passed and sent onto counties, cities and school districts to administer without any dollars to fund these new laws and needed enforcement. What's been left is local governments being "forced" to raise property taxes to meet these mandates. Much (except for values and local levys) has been constantly changed by the legislature, including the removal virtually of limited market values over the past few years. Duluth and other cities and counties are doing all they can to hold down taxes while providing residents with needed services. It's a tough job, given the ever changing property tax system here in Minnesota. Minnesota's property tax system and local government aid (LGA) are complex and intermingled .. making resolution of this long standing program difficult to resolve.

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Steven W.
Duluth, MN     11/03/2009 5:53 PM

It never ceases to amaze me how so many here will type to vent and rant nonsense contrary to the facts in article. Whaaaa~~ Donny can't balance budget ~~ yet has cut 5MM from the city budget and second year has decreased budget. Whaaa~~ Donny is typical Democrat and irresponsible blaming the state~~ It's the Republican Gov that has cut state funding fools. Whaaaaa~ this will bankrupt citizens~~ a 5.4% in property tax? Three percent for new Police Station which was sorely needed. I think there are things to gripe about with the city, getting a better facility for the Police and reducing the city budget doesn't seem to make sense as one of them. Then again, regardless of what says in article, some posters on DNT seem to need to get their rant on regardless of how foolish they look, regardless of the facts in the article.

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