The council member who represents Minneapolis' southwest corner says she'll propose a plan that would lower the total tax levy increase in Mayor Betsy Hodges' proposed 2015 budget.
In a newsletter to her ward, Council Member Linea Palmisano said the increase in property values in the 13th Ward --where there's been a considerable uptick in building permits -- means residents are facing a significant burden from a levy increase. The mayor's $1.2 billion budget calls for a 2.4 percent overall increase.
"While I do think it's important to accept the inflationary and debt-payback portions of the increase, I am proposing specific strategies to my colleagues to lower the total levy increase," Palmisano wrote.
The council member said her plan focuses on retaining spending for basic services, including adding police officers. She backs the mayor's plan not to add funding for the arts, and did not commit to supporting additional funding for affordable housing, which has been urged by some advocates.
"I will work with my colleagues to employ any and all tools the City has available that will help those in need of affordable housing, while trying to decrease the total dollar amount of the levy at the same time," she wrote.
Council members will discuss the budget at meetings next week before holding a final public hearing and voting on Dec. 10.
