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City Council Resolution Supporting HF1113/SF724Monticello's Resolution in Support of HF11131SF724 WHmEAS, the City of Monticello is host to the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant and derives significant property tax revenue from the presence of the plant in Monticello; and WHEREAS, the City has made significant enhancements to the capabilities of its Fire Department above and beyond what would be needed to serve the citizens of Monticello, but for the presence of the nuclear plant in our community; and WHEREAS, the residents of Monticello and the surrounding area live with significant safety concerns as a result of the plant's presence in Monticello, especially after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; and WHEREAS, the nuclear plant occupies prime real estate within our community making it unavailable for other economic development; and WHEREAS, the infrastructure needed to support the Presence of the plant in Monticello significantly limits the City's long term growth and transportation needs; and WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Revenue is in the final stages of changing the rules on how electric generating utility property is valued; and WHEREAS, the rule change would devalue electric generating utility property across the State of Minnesota by an average of almost 27% ; and WHEREAS, the City of Monticello estimates that the city's revenue will decline by approximately $600,000 as a result of the Department of Revenue's rule change; and WHEREAS, an increase in property taxes of approximately 6.7% and 4.6% would be shifted onto Monticello homeowners and business owners respectively as a result of the devaluation of the nuclear plant; and WHEREAS, the City deems it unfair and impractical to shift this loss of revenue onto Monticello's homeowners and other small business owners; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Monticello hereby supports BF 1113 (Rep. Wollschlager, DFL- Cannon Falls) and SF 724 (Sen. Murphy, DFL -Reel Wing), which increases the class rate on electric generating utility property from 2.0% to 3.0% and the class rate on utility personal property from 2.0% to 2.25 %, offsetting the decrease in property tax revenue that the City would suffer as a result of the implementation of the new valuation rules proposed by the Department of Revenue; therefore be it FINALLYRESOLVED, that this resolution be sent to Governor Pawlenty, House Speaker Kelliher, House Minority Leader Seifert, Senate Majority Leader Pogemiller, Senate Minority Leader Senjem, House Tax Committee Chair Lenczews1d, House Property Tax Relief and Local Sales Talc Division Chair Marquart, Senate Tax Committee Chair Bakk, and Senate Property Tax Division Chair Skoe to show the City's support of these two bills. Adopted this I P day of March, 2007 by the City Council of the City of Monticello /Z /- Z�� Clint erbst, Mayor ATTEST: