City Council Resolution in support of HF1113/SF724Monticello's
Resolution In Support of HF1113/SF724
WHEREAS, 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 nuclear generating facility creates economic, social and environmental impacts
beyond those of other Monticello industries; 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 citizen's of Monticello, but for the presence of
the nuclear plant in our community; and
WHEREAS, the residents of Monticello maintain a heightened state of preparedness, including
providing additional civil defense training and potassium iodine supplements for youth; and
WHEREAS, the residents and 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
WREARAS, 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 economic benefit of the tax capacity of the nuclear plant gave rise to support for the
locating of the facility in Monticello, balancing the added negative fiscal, environmental, and social
responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Revenue is in the final stages of changing the Hiles 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 and burden of
responsibility onto Monticello's homeowners and other small business owners;
NOW, 7WEREFORE BE IT RESOL VED, that the city of Monticello hereby supports HF 1113 (Rep.
Wollschlager, DFL- Gannon Falls) and SF 724 (Sen. Murphy, DFL -Rad 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
FINALLYRESDLVED, 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 Lenczewski, House Property Tax Relief and Local Sales Tax Division
Chair Marquart, Senate Tax Committee Chair Bakk, Senate Property Tax Division Chair Skoe, Senator
Amy Koch, and Representative Bruce Anderson to show the city's support to these two bills.
Adopted this 12a` day of March, 2007, by the City Council of the City of Monticello.
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Clint Herbst, Mayor
ATTEST:
Jeff 4 L City Administrator