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WHY A HOME RULE CHARTEIt F�R ROSEVILLE NOW? <br />While there are many good reasons far wanting to go to HOME-RULE, we want to <br />emphasize why the ROSEVILLE CITIZENS FOR RESPONSNE GOVERNMENT is <br />seeking a cbange to a home-rule charter NOW <br />WE NEED TO GO TO AN EVEN NUMBERED YEAR FOR CITY ELECTIONS <br />In 1997, only 2fl% of voters voted—less than 5,000. By having city elections on an <br />even numbered pear, we can get at Ieast a SO% vote, and more in a presidential eIection <br />year. �t wilI nat require a special election just for the city counciI. It will therefore save <br />costs ($33,000 a crack) of hoIding elections. It will also give more people the practical <br />opportunity to participate in city matters. Statewide, less thau 14% of cities hold their <br />local city elections on odd numbered years. Odd year elections allow a small inside cIique <br />to contral things; egpect the current city staff & officials to oppose this change. While they <br />have the power to switch to even years, they do not want to . A charter wiU force the <br />change. <br />WE WANT MAJOREXPENDITURES PUT TO A VOTErtrt <br />In 19$9, Rflsevzlle voters turned down a request�by conncil to build a new $8 million <br />plus cammunity center. Since then, city staff and council have gotten aronnd voter say by <br />using excess development funds to pay for recreational facilities, so they no Ionger need to <br />ask us. City commerciai develapmeuts should be cIosed out once they have paid back their <br />costs through increased property taxes. Instead, the city keeps these taxes coming into <br />their pocket, as a secret money "tree" #o pay for their pet recreational projects. Since 1990, <br />this secret money tree has been ased to fund most of the OVAL, 2 gyms on two grade <br />schools, a$1 miilion gymnastics gym on the high school, etc. They now have a task force <br />looking at "developing" City Center, the area around city hall. Plans include a new 12 <br />million dollar community center, as well as additions to the uval, etc. Since they haven't <br />given us a vote in the past, it's fair ta expect they won't voluutarily do so in the future. <br />While our city leaders need same flex in spending decisions, we believe any expenditure <br />over a CAP (say $200,000) should be put to a vote. We believe we can limit how much the <br />city can spend on major projects without putting it to a vote. <br />THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THESE ISSUES!!! <br />ROSEVYLLE CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIYE GOVERNMENT <br />P.O. BOX 131884, R4SEVILLE, MN. 55113 <br />