02-13-1989 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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been much better than the other states in the Upper Midwest which has brought comfort to those who proudly proclaim Minnesota as a high tax, high service state. The year has also seen the University of Minnesota coming under attack leading to the resignation of the President, together with reports of the state's entire public educational system. While absorbing substantial state revenues, many allege the highly touted system produces only a mediocre product. The drought evidenced itself in Orono by substantially reduced lake levels with the Council adopting a water conservation ordinance to protect this valuable resource. Building in the community was higher than expected, although down from the record in 1987. The average permit for a new single family residence being about $240,000. The City of Orono's tax base continued to be strong and had the second highest average house value of any community over 1,000 population in Hennepin County. This strong tax base however, has been detrimental as the state's funding formulas direct monies to areas where there are low property tax values (regardless of income in the area). ORGANIZATIONAL POLICY BODY - The 1988 election continued into 1989 the same composition on the Council as in the 2nd half of 1988 with James Grabek being re-elected Mayor and CounciImembers Barbara Peterson, Ed Callahan and Alan Nettles being elected to the Council seats. Mr. Nettles had replaced Mr. William Sime, who had resigned as a Councilmember mid-year. Other notable events the organizational body included the "Olive Branch" approach to the City of Long Lake in an attempt to resolve mutual issues of the two councils through mediation. The annual Board of Review resulted in an ever increasing number of assessment appeals of property values. Many were not contesting that their property is not actually worth that value, but primarily because of the ever increasing taxes that accompany such values. The Council undertook the annual goal setting in August during the budget process. Of benefit for both the primary and general elections this year was the newly acquired voting equipment which greatly cacilitated the election process with result being completed in just a few hours after closing of the polls. The City was deeply saddened by the loss of its former Mayor Brad