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o Municipal Revenue & <br /> ° D Taxation <br /> 1-A State and Local Fiscal Relationship <br /> Metro Cities supports a strong state and local fiscal relationship that emphasizes <br /> adequacy, equitability and accountability for public resources, and effective <br /> communication among the state, its cities, and the public about the roles and <br /> responsibilities of state and local governments. Services provided by cities have <br /> traditionally been funded through a combination of property taxes, fees/charges and state <br /> aids. Increasingly, cities are bearing more responsibility for the costs for services that <br /> have historically been the responsibility of the state. <br /> Metro Cities supports a state and local fiscal relationship that affirms the goal of all <br /> citizens receiving adequate levels of basic public services at relatively similar levels <br /> of taxation, that compensates cities for service costs created by non-taxpaying users <br /> of city services, that reduces tax burden disparities among communities, and that <br /> assists cities with high needs and relatively low fiscal capacities. <br /> Metro Cities supports a strong state and local fiscal partnership that emphasizes the <br /> following principles: <br /> • Strong financial stewardship and accountability for public resources that emphasizes <br /> maximizing efficiencies in service delivery and effective communication between the <br /> state and local units of government, and to the public, about state and local roles and <br /> responsibilities; <br /> • Certainty and predictability in revenue sources including the property tax and local <br /> government aids, and the use of dedicated funds that meet specific local government <br /> needs. Metro Cities opposes the diversion of such dedicated funds to help balance <br /> state budgets; <br /> • Adequate revenue sources available to cities that allow the needs of cities to be met, <br /> mandates to be funded, and that maintain our state's economic vitality and <br /> competitiveness; <br /> • Adequate and timely notification regarding new legislative programs or modifications <br /> to existing state programs or policies to allow cities sufficient time to plan for <br /> implementation; and <br /> 2017 Legislative Policies 1 <br />