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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 90-17RESOLUTION 90- 17 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE USE OF THE RAINY. DAY FUND AS A MEANS OF BALANCING THE STATE'S BUDGET RATHER THAN TRANSFERRING OF MINNESOTA MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX REVENUES OR REDUCING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AIDS WHEREAS, Minnesota cities and counties have rapidly growing transportation needs and problems; and, WHEREAS, the street and highway system is deteriorating at a rate faster than the financial ability to maintain and rebuild such systems; and, ~HEREAS, the North Metro area has waited patiently many years for several transportation projects to reach a priority status; and, WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation has committed funding for the following essential projects in the North Metro area; *New Trunk Highway l0 from County Road J to Egret Boulevard *Anoka-Champlin temporary/permanent bridges *Trunk Highway 169 from Brooklyn Park to Champlin *Trunk Highway 101 improvements; and, WHEREAS, more than one-fourth of all the bridges in the State of Minnesota were recently considered to be deficient and another 2,000 will be deficient by the Year 2000; and, WHEREAS, the Minnesota Vehicle Excise Tax also provides significant financial support of public transit programs which are essential to urban areas; and, VHEREAS, cities and other local jurisdictions are heavily dependent upon Local Government Aids as a means of financing local services; and, WHEREAS, local jurisdictions are presently operating under budgets established for 1990 on the basis of legislation adopted in September, 1989; and, WHEREAS, local jurisdictions lack the resources to offset any shortfalls or cutbacks in Local Government Aids; and, WHEREAS, the Governor and the Legislature have previously provided $500,000,000 in a "Rainy Day Fund" to meet unforeseen budgetary problems which is a degree of flexibility not afforded local jurisdictions; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Columbia Heights City Council urges and implores the Governor and State Legislature to: 1) Balance the State's budget without utilizing the Minnesota Vehicle Excise Tax Revenues previously scheduled to be transferred for transportation purposes; and, 2) Uphold their commitment to local governments by assuring that Local Government Aids will be maintained and strictly adhered to; and, 3) Utilize the "Rainy Day Fund" as was originally intended in order to assist in balancing the budget and thus keeping their commitments to local units of government for transportation-related funding and Local Government Aids. Passed this Sth day of February, 1990. Offered by: Nawrocki Seconded by: Peterson Roil call: Jo-'~e~%t, Coun'C-i~!- $~cretary Edw-ard h- C-a~lson, Ma~or -