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The mortgage foreclosure crisis and rapidly rising energy costs are hot issues at a conference of city leaders in Rochester.

About 400 city officials are attending the annual League of Minnesota Cities conference through Friday.

League spokeswoman Laura Harris says increasing numbers of foreclosed properties have cities paying more for law enforcement and maintenance.

"Securing these properties so they don't become a place where folks are, you know, using abandoned properties for various illegal activity or those kinds of things. Maintaining the property, making sure that grass is cut and those kinds of things, and that its not an eyesore in the community," Harris said.

Harris said foreclosed homes also mean unpaid taxes and delinquent utility bills. She said experts at the conference will also recommend ways cities can reduce energy consumption.

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About 400 city officials are attending the annual League of Minnesota Cities conference this week in Rochester. The mortgage foreclosure crisis and rapidly rising energy costs are hot issues.

Foreclosures and fuel prices top Minn. cities conference agenda

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