01-14-1985 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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GSGL-8. STATE LICENSING OF CONTRACTORS (B) inspection and enforcement personnel reside at the local level, know the area and activities, and are familiar with local ordinance and restrictions, thus providing better and faster enforcement. Suggestions have been made to form a statewide licensing authority and split the revenue among the licensing agency and various municipalities with the cities maintaining enforcement tasks. It 1s questionable under this arrangement if either the agency or municipalities would have enough funds to accomplish the respective tasks. The current proposals seem to overly complicate the existing system which Is effectively regulating the contractors and may result in a reduction of small contractors who operate in only a limited number of communities. GSGL-9. CABLE TELEVISION (B) 1. The League supports the current state cable law which emphasizes the role of local government in the franchising process. Many Minnesota cities receive cable TV service, and under present state and federal law, cities are responsible for setting rates, establishing a franchise, and imposing franchise fees. The League believes this law has allowed local communities to provide input into an important community as "Ice and that it should not be modified to diminish local control. The cable board had provided valuable aid and expertise to cities in establishing and regulating cable TV, Including insulating cities from anti-trust lawsuits and therefore should be continued in its current form. GSGL-10. STATE AUDITS AND CITY FINANCIAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (B) The League supports continuation of the existing auditing and financial reporting requirements for cities. Minnesota has one of the most modern and rigorous systems of oversight of municipal finances in the nation. The state auditor currently reviews annual financial reports of cities. Cities over 2.500 must have annual audits and the state auditor has the authority to audit a city upon receipt of a petition. The state auditor should not be given the power or responsibility to audit local governments on a regular basis. The private sector is fully competent to conduct governmental audits and may be more economical and practical then a state agency.