State Aid Front and Centre

A loss in state aid is the focus of attention of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities this week.

The state's municipal representatives are in Brainard after their annual conference.

International Falls City Administrator Rod Otterness says the lost of state aid has impacted many communities.

"Rural communities are in a position where they don't have sufficient property taxing ability to pay for necessary municipal services for their communities," says Otterness. "Local government aid was developed over thirty years ago to address this problem."

International Falls will lose over $700-thousand in state aid over the next two years.

Otterness says with Governor Tim Pawlenty stepping down next year, municipal lobbying efforts over the next few months will be aimed at key their representatives in the state legislature.