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