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<br />TW, <br />TRl;ST <br />PU'BLlC <br />LAND <br />.. RAMSEY CITY, MINNESOTA <br /> <br />Feasibility Study <br /> <br />Enactment Procedures for Referendum Bonds <br /> <br />A description of each such proposed issue shall be published in the city newsletter, but <br />failure to publish such description, or any defect in the description, shall not invalidate the <br />issue. However, corrections shall be published at the earliest practical time.34 <br /> <br />A resolutioll of the city council initiates proceedings to place a question on the ballot to issue <br />bonds. For both regularly scheduled and special elections the clerk must give the county <br />auditor at least 53 days written advance notice of the coming election. Therefore, if Ramsey <br />City goes forward with a measure on November 4, 2008 the clerk must notify the county <br />auditor by at least September 12,2008. The 110tice must include the date of the election, the <br />offices to be voted on, and the title and language for each ballot question. At least four days <br />before the election the municipal clerk shall post a sample ballot in the clerk's office for <br />public inspection, alld post a sample ballot in each polling place on election day. At least 46 <br />days prior to every municipal election where a notice is provided to the county auditor under <br />subdivision 4, the county auditor shall provide a notice of the election to the secretary of <br />state, in a manner prescribed by the secretary of state.35 Under state law, the ballot language <br />must state the maximum amount of the increased levy as a percentage of market value and <br />the amount that will be raised by the new referendum tax rate in the first year it is to be <br />levied. Specifically, debt obligations must include on the ballot the following notice: <br /> <br />By voting "yes" on this ballot question, you are voting for a property <br />tax increase. <br /> <br />Minnesota statutes are silent regarding petition requirements for GO bonds. In this <br />case the city of Ramsey may not place a GO bond on the ballot via initiative.36 <br /> <br />According to the League of Minnesota Cities, voter approval of debt does not require the <br />jurisdiction to issue the bonds or to issue the full amount authorized.37 If a bond election <br />fails, the same question for the same amount may not be resubmitted to the voters for six <br />months. If it fails a second time, a one-year delay is required.38 <br /> <br />General Considerations for Debt <br />There are a number of potential considerations to issuing bonds for parks and land <br />conservation. A few of the advantages and disadvantages are outlined below. <br /> <br />Advantages & Disadvantages <br />Advantages <br /> <br />34 Ramsey City Charter, 7.10.2 <br />3; Minn. Stat.. 205.16, subd 1-5 <br />36 Minn Stat 200.039 <br />37 League of Minnesota Cities, HandbookforMinnesota Cities, p. 26-7. <br />38 Minn. Stat. ~475.58, subd. 1a <br /> <br />20 <br />