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Elko New Market Chamber of Commerce State of the County. September 24, 2013. Board Direction/Goals. Provide long term fiscal stability while minimizing tax impacts Provide the level of services necessary to meet mandates and citizen expectations Assure efficient deployment of all resources
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Elko New Market Chamber of CommerceState of the County September 24, 2013
Board Direction/Goals • Provide long term fiscal stability while minimizing tax impacts • Provide the level of services necessary to meet mandates and citizen expectations • Assure efficient deployment of all resources • Support economic development and job creation
Management Focus/Tactics • Minimize tax impacts: No significant increases in the property tax levy • Ensure longer term fiscal stability: Make structural changes – not one-time fixes – and get our fund balance to an appropriate level • Focus efforts on organizational structure and efficiencies: Engage employees to stabilize costs, but also to focus on maintaining service levels • Make investments in transportation and economic development: Be as well positioned for recovery and eventual growth as possible
How are we doing? Structurally, we’ve offset nearly $17 million dollars (21 percent of operating budget) in federal and state funding reductions and cost shifts; we have the lowest rate of expenditures per capita in the metropolitan area… and third lowest in the state.
Expenditures Per Capita Source Minnesota State Auditor
How are we doing? Limited levy increases – the levy has increased, on average, only six tenths of one percent annually – well below the level of inflation and new construction growth. We have one of the lowest net tax levies, per capita, in the state… and the fourth lowest in the metro area. We have the third lowest tax rate in the metro area.
Net Tax Levy Per Capita Source Minnesota State Auditor
2010-2013 Metro Tax Rates Source: Dakota County
How are we doing? • We have improved our financial position and fund balance; the County’s fund balance is at the state recommended level for the first time since 2005. • We have improved our bond rating to “Aa1.” • We continue to have one of the lowest cost (per employee) health plans in the state. • We should close 2013 on or slightly under budget… • After accounting for state reductions, insurance increases, and Jordan project. • We are investing, and seeing positive economic development activities.
General Transportation • Significant improvements either completed or in process: • Interchange at 494 and 169 • Interchange at 13 and 101 • Highway 101 river crossing • Interchange at169 and 69 • County Road 83 • County Road 21 • County Road 17 • County Road 42 • County Road 44 • Expansion in our transit system: Eagle Creek and Marschall Road transit stations; SmartLink Merger; transit studies
Local (ENM) Transportation • County Road 86, with Rice County • County Road 2 east of 46, with Dakota County • County Road 2 and County Road 46 roundabout • I-35 and County Road 2 Interchange Study • Orange Line (I-35 BRT) Study • County Road 27 Corridor Study
Economic Development • Regional connection – funding for GreaterMSP and/or lobbying efforts • Infrastructure – County and regional roads and broadband/fiber access • Workforce development – Workforce Investment Board and working with local colleges • Collaboration – Unified plan, market analysis, planning assistance grants, and support/funding for First Stop Shop • Direct investments – Business incentives and assistance (economic gardening)
Local (ENM) Development • Land use and transportation analysis of I35 and County road 2 interchange area • TAP Grants ($15,000 to the city) via CDA • Maxfield Research – Commercial/Industrial Market Analysis • Broadband/fiber access and infrastructure • Market Village Mixed Use Development
Scott County Unemployment Rates Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Note: Seasonally Adjusted Rates (August 2013) – U.S. 7.3% & Minnesota 5.1%
Scott County Workforce Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Scott County Average Weekly Wages(Private Sector) Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development