We have had a busy summer and we are rolling into an
exciting fall. The primary has narrowed the field of hopefuls for the four-year
term Council seats down to four candidates. The November election will pick two
winners who will serve until 2016. A two-year seat is also on the ballot in
November; and that winner will serve until 2014. We have the potential of
having 3 new faces on our City Council.
The Council has voted to withdraw from the Isanti County
Economic Development Authority (EDA). This was necessary to protect our
taxpayers from being further taxed by the County. I am however saddened that
the County EDA has not been able to fulfill even the basic requirements of our
membership. I chaired the Committee; that over 5 years ago, created the County
EDA with the hope that it would help better direct County and regional
resources to help spur economic growth. The #1 goal for the County EDA was to
make the fundamental decision as to what type of organization it would be – would
it develop into a group that would spearhead business growth in our area or
work in a cooperative way with the cities in our County that are already doing
EDA work. Unfortunately, in over 5 years of existence, it has not succeeded in
making this initial decision. All the while under the County Board’s
supervision; tens of thousands of dollars have been spent on consultants and
County Board member pay, and not one new business to show for it. Over the last
year the Board has been discussing using its County EDA taxing authority to
create a new property tax to levy on top of the existing taxes we already pay.
Again, there is no goal for this money other than to accumulate a pot of funds.
By taking the action, of formally withdrawing from the County EDA, we are
protecting our taxpayers from this unfortunate situation. Braham has never
joined as they felt the Board would certainly not be of any help to them and
did not want to risk being taxed. The only city left in the County EDA is
Cambridge along with all the townships as they unfortunately have no ability to
leave the County EDA under state law. We will continue to work with the County
and try to foster a clear vision of success.
Isanti has seen a great revival in our industrial park. In
the last few years, 8 new and expanding businesses have bought buildings in our
industrial park. Three vacant buildings have been purchased and occupied so far
in 2012; leaving only a couple vacant buildings left. Our economic development
team has been working diligently to help expand our tax base and ensure we
continue to foster good paying jobs. We have done this by ensuring that our
industrial park has competitive incentives, infrastructure and ordinances that
maintain property values and ease of use.
Legacy Park which is roughly a 20-acre parcel of wooded land
abutting the Rum River in the City’s northwest quadrant; will have a trail
completed in September. This ADA compliant amenity offers public access to a
natural area in our community that generations to come will be able to enjoy. There is often criticism of parks and trails,
but we negotiated to receive this land for free. The low cost trail will have
minimal maintenance cost while offering another unique recreational outlet for
people of all ages and abilities.
The last item I want to discuss is the Long Term Financial
Plan I developed when I first took office. We are right on track with our 7th
budget that has no tax increase and spending at levels less than 2006. Property
values have leveled off as planned, vacant homes are down 60%, 363 foreclosed
homes have sold, industrial properties are selling fast and a few new homes are
being built. We still have difficult times ahead but our plan is working. Some
items are unpopular, like nuisance control, but it is also a key element in
maintaining our City’s overall property values and ensuring that the homes,
businesses and lots we have for sale are filled or developed; and to help
diversify our tax base. All the numbers are pointing to a brighter future so
long as we keep faith in our long term plan.
If you have any questions, concerns or comments please
contact me at 763-442-8749 or email me at George@georgewimmer.com . You may
also follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/mayorwimmer
Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayorGeorgeWimmer
or my blog at georgewimmer.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment