5.7. SR 02-24-2003Item # 5.7.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor and City Council
FROM:
DATE:
Pat Klaers, City Admi~ator
February 24, 2003 Y& ·
SUBJECT: Budget Update
Attached is a memo to the department heads regarding the impact of the Governor's
proposal. The plan from the Governor reduces the city LGA and Market Value Homestead
Credit by 50% in 2003, and 100% in 2004. The reduction is $644,138 in 2003, and
$1,292,865 in 2004. All of the revenues that we receive from the State go into the General
Fund Budget so most of the reductions likewise have to come out of the General Fund. The
2003 adjustments need to be made from an akeady approved and adopted budget.
I will provide a verbal update to the City Council on this proposal and its potential impact
on the city at the Council meeting.
MEMOPu NDUM
TO:
Lori Johnson, Sandy Peine, Michele McPherson, Cathy Mehelich,
Steve Rohlf, Phil Hals, Rich Czech, Dave Potvin, Terry Maurer,
Gary Leirmoe, Bruce West, Tom Zerwas, Michele Bergh, Sue
Kostanshek, Chris Johnson, Mick Stoffers
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Pat Klaers, City Administrator
February 24, 2003 ~
Governor Pawlenty's Budget Proposal
The League of Minnesota Cities (LMNC) has provided a summary of the LGA and Market
Value Homestead Credit cuts for 2003 and 2004, as proposed by Governor Pawlenty. This
information can be found on the LMNC website (vox, w.lmnc.org).
The proposal from Governor Pawlenty impacts Elk River significantly. The Govenor has
stated that the cuts represent a maximum of 5% of the total city revenues in 2003 and a
maximum of 9.5% of the total city revenues in 2004. What is not said is that almost
everything is included in the total revenue figure. If you levied taxes to pay bonds, that is
part of the total revenue; if you received state funds for a street project, that is part of the
total revenue. The reality is that the cuts need to come from the General Fund Budget as this
is where the LGA and the Market Value Homestead Credit revenues are located. The
Governor's proposal results in a $644,138 reduction in 2003. This is about an 8.4% cut from
the already approved 2003 General Fund Budget. The proposal for 2004 is a $1,292,865
reduction in aids. This is a 16.8% reduction in 2004 from the adopted 2003 General Fund
Budget. According to the Govenor's plan, in 2004 we are scheduled to receive zero ($0)
LGA and Market Value Homestead Credit.
Hopefully the £mal result will not be this severe for the City of Elk River. Additionally, we
can hope that levy limits will not be imposed in 2004 but this seems unlikely and I have
every expectation that some form of levy limits will exist for municipalities in 2004. (As you
most likely know, all of this is in addition to a proposed wage freeze for two years for
government employees, which includes municipalities.)
3'/A#rmk/ l°at/ LGACul.~-
Nobody should panic at this time, as the proposal is just that - a proposal. Hoxvever, the
House is dominated by Republicans and history has shown that the Governor generally gets
the majority of his requests, especially the fzrst year.
The city will have to use some reserves in order to cushion the LGA and Market Value
Homestead Credit cuts but reserves is not the total solution to this potential action by the
state. Reserves will be especially important for 2003, but we need to also look for permanent
reductions that can help the 2004 situation. The city will have to look at which programs and
services can be reduced or that we can do without and which programs and services can be
provided in a different manner. About 74% of the city General Fund Budget goes for
personnel services (employee wages and benefits) and it is unavoidable that employees will
be looked at to be part of the city budget solution. Employees being part of the solution can
take many different forms and shapes.
I have akeady received some good information regarding budget reduction from department
heads in response to my 1-8-03 memo. I am very concerned about the impact on services,
especially for 2004. Along with cuts, any additional revenues that you think is possible from
your department should be explored.
All departments are encouraged to seriously evaluate their 2003 budget. Please include your
employees in your budget discussions, and especially ask for their input as it relates to the
employee situation. We will need to meet and set up contingency plans during the months of
March and April and the budget will be a topic of discussion at our February staff meeting.
5/Admin/Pat/LG~dCuls