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Health & Fitness

State House Candidate Blasts Roseville Property Tax Increase Wthout Referendum Vote

Roseville taxpayers had no say about the City raising property taxes over 15%.

Editor's Note: The author of this blog is Ken Rubenzer, GOP candidate for state House District 42B. 

A significant financial event occurred on Sept.24, 2012. In a split decision the Roseville City Council approved borrowing another $17 million on top of $10 million previously approved in 2011. The money will go to rebuild a fire station ($8 million) and to renovate parks in Roseville ($19 million).

I am running a campaign to be elected to represent residents of Roseville in the Minnesota House of Representatives, and have an issue in the way this borrowing was ultimately approved.

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I respect that it is up to the City Council to determine how much revenue to collect via tax levies, and prioritize how to spend that revenue. What I have an issue with is the use of this convoluted Port Authority process, which was done specifically to avoid a public referendum vote and will result in a significant property tax increase.

Proponents on the Council said that the residents of Roseville support paying higher property taxes for the benefit of fire safety and improved parks. Fine, let the residents have a voice in the decision.  If it is as popular as stated, it will pass.

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It is unfortunate that the residents of Roseville did not have the opportunity to vote on the measure and decide for themselves.  

Perhaps the taxpayers of Roseville would have decided that borrowing $17 million more in this economic climate, where many of us are struggling, and raising property taxes over 15%, is not the best way to practice fiscal responsibility.

 Sincerely,

Ken Rubenzer

Candidate, Minnesota House of Representatives, District 42B.

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