Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. . <br /> <br /> <br />Oct 17 04 02:01p <br /> <br />Burr-ell <br /> <br />703-723-6151 <br /> <br />To Roseville Citizens, <br /> <br />Roseville Mayor Craig Klausing has recently been misinforming citizens regarding <br />at least two significant financial details regarding the proposed Twin Lakes <br />redevelopment. Mr. Klausing states (1) that tax increments to be dedicated toward <br />subsidizing the 'proposed Twin Lakes redevelopment are not public funds, and (2) that <br />there are no general property taxes going toward the Twin Lakes project. <br /> <br />The facts are exactly the opposite. <br /> <br />On the first issue, tax increments are, under state statutes, actually property taxes. <br />Property taxes and most other city revenue sources are defined as public funds by State <br />Statute lI8A. 0 1. Minnesota auditors consider that fiduciary and statutory care is <br />required for all public funds. <br /> <br />On the second issue, if the City Council proceeds with a tax increment subsidy to the <br />developer, there will be a general tax dollar shift to the rest of the community. Currently <br />the proposed district generates approximately 2.1 million dollars in property taxes. <br />Nearly 570/0 of those dollars ($1,200,000) are produced by the current buildings on the <br />proposed redevelopment parcels. When taxable structures are cleared for development, <br />property taxes cease, and those funds are lost to the city, schools, county, and state. It is <br />doubtful that the taxing entities will reduce their collective levies by 1.2 million dollars. <br />The more likely effect will be a shift of over 1 million dollars to the general taxpayer to <br />make up the lost funds. <br /> <br />With the Mayor and some of the Council members operating at this level of naivety, <br />the citizens of Roseville should be aware that the fiscal stability of their community <br />is being threatened. <br /> <br />t:awJ I 6AP"vuf/ <br /> <br />Edward Burrell <br />Former Roseville Director of Finance <br />Former Acting Roseville City Manager <br />