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7. What happens to excess funds generated by the franchise fee? <br />Response: <br />Any fees collected, but not spent, during the fiscal year would be put into a dedicated interest - <br />bearing road maintenance account for use in the subsequent year. <br />8. What happens if there is a shortfall in franchise fees? <br />Response: <br />If there is a shortfall in franchise fee revenue, the project schedule will be adjusted to fit <br />revenue. The City will review the funding for the Road maintenance Program at the end of the <br />five -year term of the ordinance. <br />9. What are cities without franchise fees doing to pay for road repair? <br />Response: <br />Cities without franchise fees typically fund street maintenance projects using a combination of <br />Municipal State Aid allocations (if eligible), general funds, general obligation bonds, and /or <br />special assessments. <br />10. Can the City consider restrictions and limits on the implementation and use of franchise fee by <br />Charter? <br />Response: <br />The City Attorney has determined that it would be legal for the Charter Commission to consider <br />such guidelines as Charter provisions. <br />11. How much is the City benefitting in 2014 by tax increment districts that are being decertified? <br />Response: <br />The City's projecting that an additional $1,260,496 will be available to the City in 2014 due to tax <br />increment district decertification. This money has been earmarked to pay the annual debt on <br />the municipal center, without having to raise the tax capacity rate. <br />12. What happens to properties that don't have gas or electric service? <br />Response: <br />Properties that have neither a gas nor an electric bill will not be charged a franchise fee. <br />13. Can the City put the road fee onto the City utility bill instead of the gas and electric utilities? <br />Response: <br />No. There is no statutory authority in Minnesota to charge a road fee to the City utility bill. A <br />franchise fee for gas and electric utilities is allowed by state statute 2166.36. <br />14. What happens to the fee for those that are receiving energy assistance? <br />Response: <br />The franchise fee is considered part of the regular utility bill and the same rules for energy <br />assistance and collection apply to the franchise fee. <br />