I’m one of the growing number of city landowners who feel I am being unfairly represented by Commissioners Hakes and Sobanja at the county board.
The county board points fingers at city taxpayers and suggests we are the bad guys for not entering a costly maintenance agreement to fund operating costs at the new community center.
County commissioners, including Bob Fenwick, Jan Hall, Fritz Sobanja, Jim Johnson, Bruce Martinson, along with ISD 166 broke the maintenance agreement at the present pool, forcing city taxes to rise to cover the bill for 30 years until commissioners realized moving the pool meant paying the bills. Only then did they recently start to pay their share trying to grease the wheel. They should have also started paying the county school’s portion. It’s not Grand Marais School!
City taxpayers have overpaid by two-thirds for 30 years. Presently, they overpay by one-third. The commissioners are the bad guys!
Commissioner Johnson suggests holding out an olive branch. Try paying your bill: $70,000 times 30 years is $2.1 million. Then pay the school’s portion, another $2.1 million. Then we can talk.
Some say city taxpayers should pay more because it’s in our back yard. Lutsen isn’t paying more for the golf course study just approved. I believe the golf course is in Lutsen’s back yard. Just one of many examples.
The city is so poor they make individual landowners pay to pave the street in front of their home. Everyone drives those streets to get to the school, ACA, playgrounds, community center, hospital, clinic, Higher Ed, courthouse, churches, etc. Somewhere the buck needs to stop so city taxes can take care of the city’s, not the county’s, obligations.
Commissioners Hakes and Sobanja would like to see city land owners continue to keep overpaying. They promote poor representation, over taxation, and discrimination.
City taxpayers who feel they pay enough should contact the mayor and city council, and say no to entering a maintenance agreement with the county board. Personally I feel we should consider seeking repayment of the $4 million owed to city taxpayers.
In case anyone needs clarity, city taxpayers also pay county taxes and will be paying their fair share!
Tod Sylvester
Grand Marais
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