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structure of the distribution of the proceeds <br />frequently results in cities receiving a very <br />small percentage of the initial forfeit sale <br />proceeds. As a result cities may not recoup <br />even a portion of the unpaid taxes or special <br />assessments owed on a property. <br />In most cases, cities and counties work <br />collaboratively to ensure that properties are <br />returned to the tax rolls quickly to benefit all <br />taxpayers. However, when consensus is not <br />reached, the tax forfeiture statutes place <br />cities at a disadvantage and can <br />disproportionately burden the taxpayers of <br />the city in which the properties are located. <br />Response: The League of Minnesota <br />Cities believes the tax forfeiture statutes <br />should be reviewed and amended as <br />necessary to ensure that the needs of city <br />and county taxpayers are properly <br />balanced. Specifically, the League <br />supports changes in the distribution of <br />the proceeds from the sale of tax forfeit <br />property contained in Minn. Stat. § <br />282.08 to elevate the priority for <br />repayment of unpaid charges for <br />electricity, water and sewer charges <br />certified pursuant to Minn. Stat. § <br />444.075 subd. 3(e), and any unpaid fees <br />prescribed pursuant to Minn. Stat. § <br />462.353 subd. 4(a), to require those <br />unpaid charges and fees to be repaid <br />immediately after unpaid special <br />assessments. <br />The proceeds from the sale of a tax <br />forfeited parcel should be used to pay the <br />assessments and administrative and <br />development costs for the transacted <br />parcel. Minn. Stat. § 282.09 should be <br />amended to prevent the proceeds from <br />the sales of a tax forfeited parcel to be <br />used to pay excessive administrative costs <br />or the costs for other parcels in the county <br />until the city is fairly reimbursed for <br />unpaid assessments and development <br />costs of the transacted parcel. <br />Before the final distribution of any <br />remaining proceeds from the sale of tax <br />forfeited land are distributed to cities, <br />counties, and school districts, Minn. Stat. <br />§ 282.08(4)(i) and (ii) give counties the <br />right to take up to half of those proceeds <br />for county forest development and county <br />park and recreation areas. The League <br />also supports the elimination of these <br />separate statutory apportionments while <br />allowing counties to use their designated <br />40 percent share of the remaining <br />proceeds for these uses. <br />FF -28. State Hazard Mitigation and <br />Response Support <br />Issue: Cities in Minnesota are exposed to <br />extreme weather events such as winds, <br />flooding, fires, and drought and are facing <br />the severe financial consequences of the <br />clean-up, repairs, and community social and <br />economic recovery, even though damages <br />may be deemed "not of such severity and <br />magnitude" as to qualify for federal <br />assistance. <br />Response: The League of Minnesota <br />Cities calls on our legislators and state <br />executive agencies charged with hazard <br />mitigation planning to address not only a <br />response to extreme weather events but to <br />also put into place a pro -active strategy to <br />minimize or mitigate the financial <br />consequences. At a minimum, this effort <br />should offer a reasonable loan funding <br />program that is easily accessible by cities, <br />businesses and homeowners to financially <br />recover and rebuild, with the ultimate <br />goal of preserving jobs, industries, and <br />communities. <br />The state response should allow for the <br />use of new technology and best <br />League of Minnesota Cities <br />2016 City Policies Page 109 <br />