City Audit

Going through draft Audit of the City and I will have a lot of good news to report when it is presented to the Council.

State Representative

I am flattered by the consistent inquires about running for State Representative but to be very clear I have no interest in running for this office at this time. I hope a well qualified proven leader will win this office and represent us well in the Legislature.

City of Isanti Property Values down 8%

City of Isanti property values are down 8% on average based on numbers from the county. I had been working on a 12% reduction so we should be ok so long as the numbers are right & my budget plan is followed.

I will be setting out my changes soon

Spring 2010 Isantian Article

I recently gave the State of the City presentation to the Isanti Area Chamber of Commerce and shared our past successes, current challenges and future goals. We discussed the tremendous achievement of the Water Treatment Plant and the excellent results of our water test. The raw untreated water tested at 6.42 pCi/L, which is over the federal limit of 5.42 pCi/L. The water processed at the treatment plant tested at .42pCi/L which is a fantastic result. The Water Treatment Plant is a great success and was built on time and under budget.

We talked about the success of the City’s Foreclosure Management Program and the 136 foreclosed homes that sold. The tremendous results have our program hailed as the best in the state. We still have NSP (Neighborhood Stabilization Program) funds available to help in the purchase of a foreclosed home. There are still homes cycling in and out of foreclosure and we have a long way to go; but as Winston Churchill said, “I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.”

I discussed the openings of a number of local businesses in the past year and our replacing of the Economic Development Director. The City’s first comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan and Multi-model plan were shared. These two plans lay the foundation for future budgeting and development. It is important that we start saving today for the inevitable replacement cost for all of the infrastructure that has been added to the City in the past decade. Planning today will save the City for decades to come.

We have all seen the dire reports of the State’s finances and the seemingly constant drumbeat of cuts. Isanti is expected to lose 82% of our Local Government Aid (which is tax money we send to the state and they should be sending back) which equates to 13% of our total General Fund Budget. On top of this, property tax values are projected to decline across the board by 10% to 30%. Paying lower property taxes is a good thing on an individual basis but this also means a lot less money going to City government to provide services. We are facing a $500,000-plus loss of revenue from LGA cuts and property tax devaluation. We also have over $500,000 in non-paid taxes and assessments that have made budgeting even more difficult. Our total General Fund Budget is $3.3 million.

We have been preparing for this moment for the last few years, as I have shared with you in past articles. Isanti is far ahead of almost every other community in the state with our LGA flip last year and the reserve fund we have built up. This will get us through to 2013 without a change in our level of service so long as the budget plan I set out is followed. It is also important to note that several projects will be moving forward such as Railroad Avenue paving, but this is being paid for out of Municipal State Aid funds and not Isanti property taxes.

I try to live by another Churchill quote: “It is no use saying, 'We are doing our best.' You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.” I know we will all do what is necessary to continue to move Isanti in the right direction

Now for some fun stuff! Isanti is an eventful City and 2010 will be packed. We have our amazing Rodeo and Jubilee Days, our Rum River BMX racing, with the State finals once again in our great City. The Redbirds will be making us all proud, and just down the road our Soccer complex will be humming with thousands of players all summer long. The newest great event to hit our City is the Isanti Farmers Market locating in Downtown Isanti. This is a fantastic April to October weekly event. For more information go to www.isantifamilyfarmersmarket.org/ and learn how to be a sponsor, as I am, how to be a vendor or most importantly, a weekly customer.

There is so much more but I have run out of space once again. As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns please contact me at George@GeorgeWimmer.com or 763-444-7158 or my cell at 763-442-8749.

Isanti City and County Meeting Audio

Isanti City Council meeting audio online at:

http://www.cityofisanti.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115&Itemid=95

Isanti County Board meeting audio online at:

http://www.alanduff.net/

David Meece Concert

Harvest Grounds Presents a Special Evening with David Meece – Contemporary Christian Music Hall of Famer

and Sheila Raye Charles, daughter of Ray Charles

Saturday, April 10 at 7:00 pm

Performing Arts Center, Cambridge High School

General Admission: $20.00

Tickets Available at Harvest Grounds in Isanti at (763) 444-8883 or

In Cambridge at (763) 689-6189

David Meece

After performing to a sell-out crowd in 2008, David Meece returns to Cambridge for another special performance. With over 30 #1 hits, David has a widespread appeal amongst fans of all ages. His signature songs, “We are the Reason” and “My Father’s Chair” have been recorded by over 200 other artists around the world. David was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2008 and received the Visionary Award for Inspirational Male Soloist in 2009.

Sheila Raye Charles

Sheila Raye Charles, daughter of the legendary Ray Charles, will be opening our special evening. Her personal story is chronicled in the book "Behind the Shades" and produced a collection of music by the same name. Come hear Sheila Raye play some of her father's hits, like "Hit the Road Jack," “Georgia on my Mind," and "I Got a Woman."

Proceeds to benefit Pregnancy Resource Center of Cambridge

The Cambridge Pregnancy Resource Center of Cambridge is a faith-based, non-profit organization committed to helping women and their partners make life-affirming choices for themselves and their babies. This center provides numerous services to over 1,000 clients each year from over 48 communities across the East Central Region.

Sponsors:

Event Sponsors: JoAnn Cutler (Michigan), John & Bonnie Schlagel

Silver Sponsors: Alan Duff (www.alanduff.net), Community Pride Bank (www.cpride.com), Sheriff Russ Monson (www.sheriffmonson.com), Minnco Credit Union (www.minnco.com), Cambridge Eye Associates

Bronze Sponsors: Jim Kennedy, Isanti City Councilmember, George Wimmer, Isanti Mayor, A&W Automotive, George McMahon, Chisago County Commissioner, Harvest Christian Center, South Isanti Baptist, Lakeside Church, Oxlip Evangelical Free, Reller Signs, Landmark Bank

Special Prize Sponsors: Ticknor Hill B&B and Minnesota Timberwolves

Arctic Plunge Committee Thank you

I presented the $2,000 check to Senior Dining from the Arctic Plunge Committee. I can never say enough about the great people of the Arctic Plunge Committee. They are simply amazing. The $2,000 will help fund the Meals on Wheels drivers and Senior Dining. The money fills a huge hole as funding has continued to decline.

I can never thank the Arctic Plunge Committee enough....

Per Capita

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Andrew J. Bisila Fund Raiser

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Property Values Sinking

I have been talking about this for the last two years and it is finally get wide spread coverage. Here is a story on the impacts of sinking property values and the impact on local government.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/local/87593132.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUX

2010 Arctic Plunge Update

The Plunge Committee raised over $24,000 from the 2010 Arctic Plunge. This is an amazing group doing amazing things....

School District Discussion Thread

School district discussion thread at

http://isanticountynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7799&Itemid=1#jc_allComments

Free Speech at work...

School District

City Website Update

The Isanti City Website has been under going a number of updates and hopefully will be completed soon. I will let you know when it is completed.

Stirring the Pot

Some people like to stir the pot.... just remember the pot stirs back.... especially when I am that pot....

More Isanti Arctic Plunge Pictures

This was a great event and thanks to the Plunge Committee, Sponsors, Jumpers and the great people that came to watch us do crazy things.

2010 Arctic Plunge

My 2010 Jumping Partners

A few of the brave who are there to protect

The Englund Family Old Fashion Ice Cutting

My 6th year in a row

The Plunge is Coming

The Arctic Plunge is this Saturday. I will be jumping for the 6th time. It is a great time and the Plunge Committee has done fantastic things raising over $83,000 for local service organizations.

http://www.arcticplunge.com/

Ever Cat Fuels

Just a quick update on our signature 2009 economic Project. 17 new jobs avg $50,000 in wages and benefits. Saving the environment with good paying jobs - jobs that support a family.

Minnesota Deficit Forecast

Minnesota State budget deficit adjusted for inflation will be $6.889 Billion for 2012-2013. The current deficit was adjusted slightly lower only because the federal government is shoveling more money to the State.

The State has broken its social contract with cities. The state has tremendous powers over how cities can raise revenue and how money is spent. The power the state has taken was in exchange for financial support of cities. The financial support is gone yet the power grab remains.

This information is in line with what we have been planning for and should be a clear sign to anyone that all the cuts in spending the City has done and the ones to come are absolutely needed.

Andrew J. Bisila Fund Raiser

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