12-03-1990 Council Minutes Budget Hearing

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ORONO BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING MEETING HELD DECEMBER 3, 1990 • out a way for property taxes to increase. That results from various programs that are mandated without appropriate funding. The property tax system is so complex that it is impossible to nave a rational discussion about it. The City is limited by the amount of increase in the levy that we can charge each year and by the dollar amount we can collect each year. The increase in property values is not reflected by the increase in the budget. If we were able to have the same percentage apply against increased values when property taxes increase, our budget situation would be mach different. The passing on of the increase in the levy limit would be, for good or bad, more directly against the value of the property than it now is. On the other side of the coin, for those who assume that their property values are decreasing, so too should the dollars that are paid in taxes. Unfortunately, there is a lapse between the time that property is assessed and the time that payment of taxes for that valuation is made. At this time, the City does not know what values the County will place on property in Orono. The City is applying whatever percent of tax increase against an unknown base, which causes problems in the budget process." Mr. Garfield Clark, 1955 Heritages Drive, said, "What we are facing is a fundamental disenfranchisement of our views toward our representatives, starting at this level on up. We must stop the spending. We've got to stop looking for things to cure with my money. There is an increasing number of people who are unable • to carry the lead any mere. I am a:3king the Council specifically, as my representatives, will you please, at the loudest voice possible, talk to Met Council, Hennepin County and the Sta`e of Minnesota. Talk to our representatives in Washington. Tell them all that we cannot handle any more. The spending must stop. Invite the public to participate at the budgeting process, not the taxation process. It is terrible to put the public in a condition where it is moments before the voting, and we have no idea what the budgets look like. T'-ie City officials know that the public is going to object to an increase in taxes, that is a given. Yet we are forced into the dilemma of coming in moments before a vote and asking you not to raise taxes. TNe focus must be on the budget side of the process. T'-ie City of Orono could become an example that could be used all the way up the government ladder." Mr. Bob Biesterfeld, 450 Deborah Drive, stated that he is a dentist and that he would not get away with raising his service fees, the way government raises taxes. He said, "If I did raise my rates, there would be an outcry for socialized medicine. What is happening though, is that we are socializing this Country in terms of taxes. I agree with Mr. Clark. We need to stop spending." Mr. Jim Lorence, 4460 North Shore Drive, stated that he had • moved to Orono four years ago and purchased a home that was four 6 -