1991-11-26 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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f: * NEW BRIGHTON'S SUCCESS SYMBOLS * Nationally Accredited Police Department (First in Minnesota) A ward Winning Parks Tree City U.S.A. National Certificate for Annual Financial Report Excellent Bond Rating (A-I) Minnesota "Star" City Long Range Plan for the maintenance, reconstruction and financing of the City's streets, utilities, parks and city facilities. Low water rates and clean drinking water Very low number of fulltime employees per capita Wel1~trained and equipped all volunteer fire department A community spirit of volunteerism on boards, commissions and in community organizations * * * * * * * TAXES AND SPENDING - THE NEW BRIGHTON STORY According to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, New Brighton's tax rate for the city share of property taxes is the second lowest in the metro area for the 31 cities with over 20,000 in population! Looked at in a different way, if we use the City share of the property tax rate only, the City's share in ~columbia Heights in 1991 was 45% higher than New Brighton, St. Anthony's was 60% higher, etc. (see .... Tables 1 & 2) ax rates, of course are not the only measure of the efficient use of tax dollars. Cities with a high property valuestax base are able to spend more and still keep a low tax~. Another measure of financial success, then, is to look at City spending on a per capita basis. Again, New Brighton is among the best. According to statistics recently published by the Minnesota Taxpayers Association, of the 31 cities in the State of Minnesota with populations between 20,000 and 50,000 The average per capita spending in 1989 was $342.80 New Brighton's per capita spending was $283.36 Only four cities had a lower per capita spending than New Brighton Why then, are taxes on a home in New Brighton higher than one in Fridley when the City share of the taxes in Fridley are 21 % higher than in New Brighton? * * * One major reason is that the county share of property taxes in Ramsey county is 28.8% higher than in Anoka County (see Table 3). Thus, reports in the newspapers which show high taxes for Ramsey County suburban communities fail to mention that the Cities in Ramsey County generally have the lowest per capita ~... spending among all cities, but when the city rates are added to the rates charged by the schools and the lIounty, taxpayers in Ramsey County start to show a higher tax burden.