7/12/12
Shorewood's Council held the first 2013 budgeting work session on Monday, the 9th. Staff was looking for direction on overall budgeting, the tax levy amount and any projects council members wanted to be included. Blog readers can view the meeting at: http://lmcc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=603. See the end of the agenda for the work session video.
The Insider noted:
- Lizee, in reaction to staff saying there are no levy limits from the State, said there is an opportunity to raise the property tax levy. She stood alone in this opinion. She seemed to indicate that the state legislature has green-lighted cities to raise taxes. Of course this is not the legislature's intention. Of note is that there were no levy limits last year and the City did not raise taxes. What is Lizee thinking?
- The rest of the council members expressed a desire not to raise the tax levy. This seemed to quiet Mayor Lizee.
- Hotvet brought up the topic of the South Shore Center and the increased expense being borne by Shorewood to operate it. Lizee said that this needs more work and other cities need to step up in finanical support in 2013. The Insider wonders where this change of view came from. Lizee and friends have been soft pedaling the Center cost to Shorewood, even to the point of wanting to hide the costs in the overall costs of the parks operation. Maybe Lizee doesn't care about or need the votes from the seniors this upcoming election. Also, what makes Lizee think the other cities (Excelsior, Deephaven, Greenwood and Tonka Bay) will pitch in on the expenses? They haven't done so for the past three years, getting the benefits of the Center being open to their residents for zero cost. What a deal for them!
The result of the meeting is that staff is to prepare more detailed budgets, with no tax levy increase, and meet with council on 7/23.
Keep reading as the budget process unfolds.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
So, where is the $143k deficit in the proposed budget coming from?
ReplyDeleteLizee wants to increase taxes, because she can - easy way
Hotvet wants more creative ideas on SSC budget and Investments, but offers nothing.
Does she remember she voted to loan out our money at below market rates?
Does she know we've spent approx. $90k to keep the Center open and still need another $26k for salaries in addition to operating costs for 2013?
Lizee states we need to see contributions from other cities to keep SSC going .. so if not are you gonna sell it? Far cry from the "save the Center" campaign Liz/Zerby spearheaded.
Siakel doesn't want to use reserves - even though it's our taxpayer money.
Lizee states we have no control over the additional $60k increase to police and fire, even though she sits on one Board and Zerby on the other, and independently both vote?
Siakel and Hotvet -- you're on the road to predition -- find a new path ...
The budget should include money to build the tourism industry on Lake Minnetonka. We will all win from this venture. See this article: http://m.startribune.com/news/?id=162486256
ReplyDeleteJoke, right? The article twice mentions the wealthy property owners trying to keep out the tourist. It's actually the same old class warfare game being played by the Strib. In truth, it's the wealthy developers trying to steamroll lake city councils into approving and subsidizing projects that aren't needed. Usually, these projects severely diminish the quality of life, and the local residents wind up paying for it one way or another.
DeleteEven LizZerby and the Two Clones would not fall for a ruse like that.
How will spending Shorewood taxes to promote SOME of our neighbors benefit Shorewood? What about Chanhassen? Victoria? Where does it stop? I'm skeptical. Convince me.
DeleteAnonymous...did you read Lizee's quote at the end of the article? She is in freefall baby!
DeleteI read the article and as a resident have visions of (1) more congestion and chaos for which our PD will need more subsidies to patrol the entertainment district; (2) more pressure on Shorewood wallets to collaborate on events and projects in Excelsior; and (3) special taxing districts.
DeleteExcelsior will never be Wayzata no matter how hard it tries. The business district is perpendicular to the water and that is one of the basic problems with using the lake to attract business to this city. The frontage belongs to the residents not the business district. It is they who will suffer.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm not feeling the love for the hotel yet. Will this bring more attractive shops to downtown Excelsior or will more of our favorite merchants find themselves priced out of the commercial rental market in favor of chains and "upscale" retailers?
And has anyone tried to boat on Minnetonka lately? Good grief.