Mayor Coleman offers a 'no fluff' 2009 budget

St. Paul residents would get longer library hours and more cops.

By CHRIS HAVENS, Star Tribune

Last update: August 12, 2008 - 9:00 PM

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There will be more police officers on the streets of St. Paul, longer library hours and no significant service cuts for residents next year if Mayor Chris Coleman gets his way.

He presented his 2009 budget proposal Tuesday in a packed City Council chambers, touting that the city has reached financial stability a year earlier than expected.

"That is no small accomplishment," Coleman said.

The City Council will spend the next few months analyzing the proposed budget.

The budget has achieved "structural balance," meaning that spending and revenues are in line and there is no more one-time spending of reserves or deferment of maintenance. The importance of structural balance means city services will be more predictable, he said.

Coleman's proposed 2009 budget would be about $542 million, a $42 million increase over 2008.

An increase of $5.8 million in local government aid from the state and the levy increase will close a $13 million gap. Coleman proposes increasing the levy from $82 million in 2008 to $89 million in 2009.

What that means is that the owner of a $183,000 house would probably pay no additional property tax, although that owner would probably see a $65 increase next year because of city service charges, such as recycling, water or sanitary sewer.

Businesses, on the other hand, are likely to see increased taxes because of increasing commercial land values.

After closing eight recreation centers last year and increasing the levy by 15 percent, Coleman was pleased to present a budget that increases spending for public safety, extends library hours and begins the process of converting city computers to more efficient and up-to-date software.

"There's not a lot of fluff," said Council Member Lee Helgen, who praised Coleman for using "sound fiscal management."

Coleman didn't go into detail on cuts in services or staff.

There would be increases for the following public works services:

• Sanitary sewer, 10 percent.

• Storm sewer, 12.5 percent.

• Right-of-way maintenance, 15 percent downtown, 12 percent elsewhere.

• Recycling, 11 percent.

Along with those increases, business license fees would go up by 5 percent and permits by 10 percent.

Kris Johnson, president of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, wasn't happy with the business license increases. He said there needs to be a strategy to reward existing businesses as well as attract new ones.

John Labosky, president and CEO of the Capital City Partnership, had good things to say about Coleman: "He's working well with the business community and with the spirit of teamwork."

The City Council, of course, can change the final budget package in the coming months.

"Now we have a starting point," said Council Member Dan Bostrom. A former cop, Bostrom said he was glad to see the extra officers included in the proposal.

"It's something I've pushed for every year for the last several years," he said.

Chris Havens • 651-298-1542