Agenda - Council - 02/26/1979 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-3- RECOb~ENDATION VII: The Legislature should take steps to assure adequate compensation to communities that must service and support tax exempt properties within their boundaries. Included in this study and action should be examination of means by which non-local public bodies which own tax exempt properties can themselves provide needed services. For many rural centers the result of increased development and/or demands for expanded local government services has been a serious over-taxing of existing part-time administrations. Many rural centers have consequently recognized the need for upgraded administrative and management structures, but find them beyond their financial reach. RECOMMENDATION VIII: Rural center planning should include an assess- ment of local administrative capabilities in determining its future growth and development. RECOMMENDATION IX: Rural centers faced with a need for expanded administrative and management capabilities and limited ability to pay for them should in- vestigate options for shared support of "circuit rider" administrations, planners, inspectors, and other mutually needed personnel. A federal or state program which would provide funds to rural centers specifically to maintain needed administrative and code and ordinance enforcement personnel should be established. 10. Minnesota's energy future is, at best, uncertain. Projected shortages could dramatically affect its energy-intensive lifestyle and economy and pose particular problems for low-income and elderly persons, and high consumption commercial and industrial development in rural centers and other sectors of the state. 11. Energy considerations are being given an increasing weight in decision-making processes of the general public ~s well as business and industry. Rural centers desiring to attract new development will likely benefit from an active energy awareness in their land use planning. RECOMMENDATION X: Potential energy scarcity and increased cost should be a recognized factor in rural center planning and decision-making. Among the steps a rurgl center may take are: 12. o Establishment of a local energy committee to advise on energy-related issues. o Establishment of public education programs on individual conservation measures. o Establishment of conservation measures in local service provision. o Adoption of local codes and ordinances (e.g., building codes, sign and lighting ordinances, site design requirements) that reflect conservation efforts. o Local receptivity to use of alternative energy sources and technologies in residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural development. The goal of each rural center is to be and remain a balanced, vital community. Among the various identities a rural center may have to realize this goal are an agricultural service center; a residential community serving the surrounding agricultural community as a retirement center and agricultural service center; a residential community, suburban in character and a focal point for non-farm residential development; a new business and industry location; or combinations thereof.