The Legislature has almost total control over municipal finance policy. It sets the value and tax rates on property, grants exemptions and approves other restrictions and special benefits. Balancing a city budget under these statutory limitations requires a sharp pencil, tough choices and a little bit of magic. Cities and towns are cutting programs and services, drawing down reserves and going to voters for special levies to balance their budgets. They cannot accept further reductions in property tax collections or assume costs mandated by the state. It is time for the Legislature to finally understand that cities and towns have done more with less for too long.
Be it resolved that the League of Cities and Towns will support bills to:
1. allow cities and towns to issue Special Improvement District Bonds with a value of up to $1-million through local financial institutions
2. authorize local governments to issue revenue bonds backed by Street Maintenance Assessments to finance capital projects
3. require that the cost of demolition and debris removal for buildings destroyed by fire or other causes be covered by insurance claim payments
4. increase state transfer payments, expand grant and loan authorizations or cut agency assessments on local governments
5. share federal mineral royalties with all local and tribal governments in oil and gas producing counties to offset the impacts of energy development.
Be it further resolved that the League of Cities and Towns will oppose bills to:
1. require payment of medical costs for those arrested, apprehended or "detained" by city police in connection with a violation of state law
2. increase assessments against cities to support the statewide Public Defender Program
3. unreasonably limit municipal government access to the state Short Term Investment Program
4. transfer state costs to local governments by increasing service charges, license and permit fees and administrative reimbursements
5. repeal or reduce taxes on business equipment, centrally assessed or other property without full and permanent reimbursement for local governments.
