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for the state to renew commitmei,,. to maintaining a reasonable <br />level of property taxes and local services by once again funding, <br />],.)cal government aid programs. Although, the debate will <br />undoubtedly continue as to the appropriate formulas for <br />distribution of aids because of the vast difference in cities <br />within the state, the legislature :should not abrogate its <br />authority nor lose sight of the overall need to ma:rstain stable <br />and reasonable property tax levels. <br />THE AMM URGES THE LEGISLATURE TO RFNEW THE COMMITMENT TO ALL <br />LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND MAINTENANCE OF REASONABLE PROPERTY TAXES BY <br />INCREASING ITS FUNDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID PROGRAMS ON AS FAIR <br />AND EQUITABLE BASIS AS POSSIBLE. THE LEGISLATURE MAY NEED TO <br />CONSIDER ADDITIONAL NEW AND CREATIVE METHODS OF SOLVING UNIQUE <br />LOCAL FUNDING PROBLEMS SEPARATELY FROM THE GENERALIZED FORMULAS. <br />I-D PROPERTY TAX <br />D-1 TAX EXEMPT PROPERTY <br />Cne of the glaring inequities in the Minnesota tax system involves <br />"he free local services that are provided to tax exempt properly <br />owned by the state and by certain nor,-Eovernmental organizations. <br />It is wid,--y acknowledged that such property benefits directly <br />from governmental services such as police and fire protection and <br />street services provided by cities and counties. However, since <br />there is not legal basis for ciair,,ing reimbursement for the cost <br />of such services, they are borne by the local taxpayers. <br />Furthermore, such property is concentrated in certain citiez and <br />counties resulting in a heavy cost burden in certain parts of the <br />state. <br />THE ASSOCIATION nELIEVES THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY <br />ENACTINC LEGISLATION REQUIRING BOTH THE STATE AND <br />NON -GOVERNMENTAL OWNERS OF TAX EXEMPT PROPERTY, EXCEPT FOR <br />CHURCHES, HOUSES OF WORSHIP, AND PROPERTY USED SOLELY FOR <br />EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES BY ACADEMIES.",:'.COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AND <br />SEMINARIES OF LEARNING, TO REIMBURSE 'CtTIES AND COUNTIES FOR THE <br />COST OF POLICE, FIRE, AND STREET SERVICES. <br />THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER PROVIDING REIMBURSEMENT <br />FOR THESE SERVICES FOR ALL STATE OWNr:) FACILITIES, INCLUDING STATE <br />UNIVERSITIES. <br />D-2 PROPERTY TAX DISTRIBUTION FROM COUNTY <br />Counties are supposed to distribute 70% of the collected property <br />tax funds on hand as of the 20th. day of the month following <br />collection date within 30 day;, and the remainder within 60 dais <br />t.. 8% interest accruing after 4; day:;. Cities may request, and <br />