Minneapolis: Cuts needed for lower property tax levy

The chair of the Minneapolis City Council's budget committee says city officials are looking for ways to reduce the proposed property tax levy for 2011.

This week, the city council's budget committee begins the process of amending Mayor R.T. Rybak's proposed 2011 budget.

Committee chair Betsy Hodges said she and her fellow council members want to reduce the proposed 6.5 percent property tax hike. But she said any property tax relief will mean cuts elsewhere.

"There's not another source of money we can use to replace those dollars. There's going to have to be cuts," Hodges said.

In light of the state's projected $6.2 billion budget deficit, Hodges said she and other city leaders are preparing for a reduction in aid.

"There's a list of cuts we will make if the state doesn't come through with the dollars that it promised," Hodges said.

The list of cuts includes reductions in the city's road repair and resurfacing budget, and a cut to the fire department which would result in the layoffs of eight firefighters. The proposed budget for 2011 already includes the elimination of 80 jobs.

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