About Me

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I have served the City of Isanti as Mayor since 2007. We have accomplished great things together and I look forward to building on our success. United, we move forward to a better future. You may contact me at 763-442-8749 or e-mail me at george@georgewimmer.com.

Friday, September 01, 2006

September 5th Council Meeting

There are two items I wish to discuss on the September 5th agenda. The first item is the feasibility report for the 2007 street improvement project and the second item in the proposed levy.

The street improvement project effects segments of

  • 4th Ave S
  • 2nd Ave S
  • 1st Ave S
  • Broadway Street
  • 3rd Ave South
  • Elizabeth Street
  • North Brookview Lane
  • Pinto Lane
  • Palomino Rd
  • Appaloosa Lane
  • Buckskin Blvd
The improvements range from replacing clay pipes to curb and gutter and finally sidewalks. I believe each area should be looked at individually and its needs assessed. An example is the proposed sidewalk on Elizabeth. My wife and I bike with our kids along the street often. There is very little traffic. This is a beautifully tree lined street. Placing a sidewalk on the north side would do more damage than good.
Sidewalks belong on busy streets were traffic causes safety issues. Elizabeth is a tranquil residential street with mature trees.....lets leave it that way.
The other main issue is the proposed 2007 levy and proposed Budget. I stated my position numerous times. The new budget increases spending by nearly 6%. This is on top of over 30% of new spending last year.
The levy is proposed to increase by about 1/2%. I know this does not seem like much but we can lower taxes by 8% by simply giving back the excess amount of collected taxes from last year. If we do not give theis money back to the tax payers, City Hall will spend the money.
City debt is also a grave concern. City debt per person has increased by over 500% as City population has increased 100%. This is not sustainable. Please read http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=11605485&postID=115639936066225884 for more details.
I have just received the new revised proposed budget. I am asking that a total of $150,000 from the Liquor Store Fund which has a cash balance of $820,000 and $175,000 from the $350,000 of excess taxes collect in 2005. This money should be given back to the Citizens of Isanti, not spent on unbudget items.
The housing slow down will have it greatest effect on our city budget in 2007 and 2008. If we do not get taxes low and government efficient today the repercussions will be severe in the years to come.
We must do long term budgeting and capital improvement plans. Isanti has no plan past this budget. Driving in the dark and spending and taxing with no financial planning is the same thing, eventually you will crash.
Any questions or comments please let me know.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with leaving sidewalks out of quiet neighborhoods with beautiful mature trees lining both sides of the streets. Trees add so much character to a neighborhood. Let's not make our neighborhoods all cookie cutter images of each other.

Anonymous said...

I hope you are able to keep the sidewalk out of Elizabeth. Does anyone else on the Council ever travel down the street? Save the trees/no sidewalk

Anonymous said...

Our taxes and water cost so much it is hard to live here. We put our house up for sale 8 months ago and it is not selling. We are stuck here and can not afford higher taxes. Please make you lower taxes pass. You can put a sign in our yard. Thank you

Anonymous said...

work on the water rates after you get taxes lower. It is all to high

Anonymous said...

I also agree with the 'no sidewalks' in quiet neighborhoods. Our neighborhood was forced to put in a sidewalk 2 years ago and we lost many beautiful trees, shrubs and lost a large piece of yard. Plus, no one uses the sidewalk! When I remove snow on it, the only tracks on it are the neighbor's cat and the rabbits.

TAXES ARE WAY TOO HIGH ! ! ! It's getting to the point where Isanti is taxing people out of their homes!

George said...

This is why we have elections. We need to vote for change. Voters need to ask candidates how they will vote and hold them to it.