Thursday, Mayor RT Rybak finally released the details of the budget he proposed on Tuesday afternoon in in road rebuilding and economic development, while suggesting "difficult cuts" were in store to pay for these priorities without hiking property taxes.
At first glance, the proposal's highlights include:
- No property tax increase.
- A commitment to "priority-based budgeting," where departments submit proposals to achieve certain results at a specified cost.
- A slower (four percent) rise in estimated health insurance costs (projected at 10 percent).
- Water utility rate increase of $0.16 to $3.36 per unit and $0.32 hike in sewer rates to pay for investments in the sewer system.
- Elimination of preventative road maintenance on residential and side streets, paired with a $50 million bonding project to repair many of the city's roads.
- Reduced snow removal after "snow events."
Southwest Minneapolis Patch will be pouring over this budget in the days ahead, but we invite you to do the same! As you read through it, what jumps out at you? What questions do you have that you'd like Patch to look into?
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