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Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
Yesterday the City Council held the last meeting of the year to finalize the 2025 budget which was vetoed by the Mayor. Here is what happened with the budget process:
All year I have heard from you that the increase in property tax, be it Hennepin County, School Board, Metropolitan Council, or City, is too high and having a negative effect on your standard of living.
The good news is that I offered several amendments to lower the property tax levy increase and the City Council approved a reduction from 8.3% to 6.8%. One of my amendments would have reduced it to 6.4%, but that was defeated.
The bad news is that the majority on the Council, in an unprecedented moved, created a budget that:
- Increases future spending by $6.5 million by drawing down the City’s cash reserves. This jeopardizes our AAA credit rating which allows us to borrow money at a lower interest rate. It will also increase the levy increase in future years.
- Takes $16 million from City Departments, placing it elsewhere and directing it to pet projects in individual Wards.
- The 2025 budget cuts:
- Homeless and encampment response.
- Police recruitment.
- Dismantles the non-armed public safety system by allocating that money to non-profits in South Minneapolis without using a competitive selection process.
- Snow plow operations.
- Pot hole repair.
- Street light replacement.
- Cost of living raises to non union employees.
So, even though the property tax levy increase was lowered, I could not support the Chicago ward boss politics of this budget. That is not how Minneapolis should be governed.
As always, Henry, Patrick, and I are here to serve you. We can be reached at ward3@minneapolismn.gov. Please report all issues to 311 before contacting us so there is a paper trail and staff are already aware of the issue when we speak with them. You can contact 311 by simply dialing 311, email them at Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov or by submitting a 311 Contact Form.
Your neighbor,
Michael
Sidewalks are an important part of Minneapolis’ transportation system, and they should be open for everyone. That’s why Minneapolis ordinance requires property owners to clear sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall for houses and duplexes and four daytime hours for all other properties. It’s the law, and it’s the neighborly thing to do. If your walk’s not cleared, the City could have it cleared and you would be billed.
Don’t forget your garbage, recycling and organics carts. Crews need a 36-inch-wide path from your carts to the street or alley.
If you need help clearing snow, you can call 311 for a list of resources that might be available.
Read more on the City website.
Eleven multifamily rental housing projects will receive funding for new construction and rehabilitation from the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund and 9% low-income housing tax credits. The City of Minneapolis has committed nearly $18.5 million to support these projects. The City Council approved the awards Dec. 5.
The Affordable Housing Trust Fund was established in 2003 to help produce and stabilize affordable and mixed-income rental housing projects with 10 or more units. Twenty percent of the total units need to be affordable and occupied by people in households at or below 50 percent of the area median income.
Affordable housing video series
Watch a new video series that looks inside The Way Home report at our affordable housing strategies, success stories and ongoing efforts.
Read more about the 11 projects on the City website.
Find free vaccinations to protect your family from COVID-19, flu and mpox, and get the required childhood vaccinations.
Vaccinations are an important way to stay healthy, and staying healthy is one of the best ways we can protect each other.
Find a list of vaccinations and check back for updates on the City website.
Did you know you can get reminders about your recycling day? By signing up you’ll receive an email every other week that includes:
- Holiday collection delay notices.
- Seasonal service reminders like the start and end of yard waste collection.
- Tips to reduce waste and to recycle and compost more.
- Notifications of upcoming waste reduction, reuse, and recycling events.
- Fun facts about what happens to your garbage, recycling, organics recycling, etc.
Sign up by finding your recycling day and clicking “Sign up for Recycling Reminders.”
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