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Metropolitan Agencies <br />services are positioned to be effective and adequate in addressing the future needs of the <br />region.Suchwork mustincludetheparticipationof local officials.TheMetropolitanCouncil <br />should also examine its scope of services to determine their benefit and efficiency and be open <br />toalternative methods of delivery to assure that services are provided at high levels of <br />effectivenessfortheregion. <br />Metro Cities supports appropriate legislative oversight of the Metropolitan Council to <br />regularlyreviewtheCouncilÓsactivities,andtoprovidetransparency andaccountabilityof <br />itsfunctions andoperations. <br />4-DFundingRegionalServices <br />The Metropolitan Council should continue to fund regional services and activities through a <br />combination of user fees, property taxes, and state and federal grants. The Council should set <br />user fees through an open process that includes public notices and public hearings. User fees <br />should be uniform by type of user and set at a level that supports effective and efficient public <br />services based on commonly accepted industry standards and allows for sufficient reserves to <br />ensure long-term service and fee stability. Fee proceeds should be used to fund regional services <br />orprograms forwhichtheyarecollected. <br />Metro Cities supports the use of property taxes and user fees to fund regional projects so <br />longasthebenefitconferredontheregionisproportionaltothe fee ortax,andthefee or <br />taxis comparabletothebenefitcitiesreceive inreturn. <br />4-ERegionalSystems <br />Regionalsystemsarestatutorilydefinedastransportation,aviation, wastewater treatmentand <br />recreational open space. The purpose of the regional systems and the Metropolitan CouncilÓs <br />authority over them is clearly outlined in state law. The Metropolitan Council must seek a <br />statutorychange toalterthefocusorexpandthe reachofanyofthese systems. <br />Systemsplansprepared bytheMetropolitanCouncil should bespecificintermsofsize,location <br />and timing of regional investments to allow for consideration in local comprehensive planning. <br />Systems plans should also clearly state the criteria by which local plans will be judged for <br />consistencywithregionalsystems. <br />Additional regional systems should be established only if there is a compelling metropolitan <br />problem or concern best addressed through the designation. Common characteristics of the <br />existing regional systems include public ownership of the system and its components and <br />established regional or state funding sources. These characteristics should be present in any new <br />regional system that might be established. Water supply and housing do not meet necessary <br />established criteriaforregional systems.Anyproposedadditional systemmust have an <br />establishedregionalorstatefundingsource. <br />2022 Legislative Policies <br />44 <br /> <br />