Minneapolis Mayor Announces Supplemental Budget Amid State Funding Cuts

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and City Council President Barbara Johnson recently addressed city employees regarding the state's proposed budget cuts, which would significantly impact local funding. The cuts, totaling $50 million, represent a 56% reduction in Local Government Aid for Minneapolis. This comes on top of an additional $21-million cut in 2009. The mayor and council president emphasized the importance of minimizing the impact of the cuts, citing the city's efforts to streamline services, find efficiencies, and eliminate over $116 million in debt.

Key Takeaways:

• The City of Minneapolis faces a $50-million cut in Local Government Aid, representing a 56% reduction in funding.
• This cut comes on top of a previously announced $21-million reduction in 2009.
• Mayor R.T. Rybak and Council President Barbara Johnson have begun working on a supplemental 2010 budget to address the state's proposed cuts.
• The city has eliminated over $116 million in debt through streamlining services and finding efficiencies.
• Mayor Rybak and Council President Johnson emphasized the need for innovative solutions to minimize the impact of the state's cuts.
• City employees will be involved in the process of addressing the cuts and mitigating their effects.

Statistics:

• $50 million: Total proposed cut in Local Government Aid for Minneapolis.
• 56%: Reduction in Local Government Aid for Minneapolis.
• $29 million: Cut proposed by Governor Pawlenty in 2010.
• $21 million: Cut in Local Government Aid for Minneapolis in 2009.
• $116 million: Amount of debt eliminated by the city through service streamlining and efficiency measures.

Sources:

• [Mayor R.T. Rybak and Council President Barbara Johnson, Joint Message to City Employees]