Agenda - Council Work Session - 07/31/2007

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Orqanizational Options 15 2. Each Anoka County community must be assured that it could elect to participate or to withdraw its participation with either organizational option. The committee recognized that County involvement in economic development could have a direct benefit to communities that have not established an EDA as well as a County-wide benefit, to the extent that the efforts of an EDA or an BRA with authority to exercise EDA powers could result in an increase in the County's property tax base. Committee members also recognized that supporting an organizational option that would increase the County's involvement in economic development would not obligate their community's participation in a County EDA or the Anoka County HRA operating with EDA powers. Rather, a community's decision whether to participate would require a resolution ad9pted by the community's governing body. A representative of the Anoka C9~~ty" Attorney's Office orally advised committee members that Minnesota Stat\.lies See~ion 469.1082 provides for local determination for cities to participate in":a county economic development organization, regardless of er the county blishes an EDA or extends EDA operating powers to th istinl?fIRA. MoreOver, state law does not preclude a city's ability to form arf. .~~'and provides a mechanism for these communities that want t lish an~ on the operating area of a county BRA. "-., 3. Anoka Countycotiill:l:uniti, need'information on how the levy will be d~termined~~d ho"1.{evenues will be allocated between housing and~cono's~~y~lopri!ent activities. In evaluating; d iriCreaseciCounty role in economic development, committe~:~e :a:?ized the importance that some city councils and township:~.t'boards mi lat@.. on local levy implications, in considering participat1611:}n a Coun RA6perating with EDA powers. They advised the County to rese'[ch an. velop information explaining the maximum levy authority of the Coun RA exercising EDA powers and how revenues would be allocated betwee housing and economic development activities. Four possibilities exist for community participation in a County HRA exercising EDA powers: . Participation in both County HRA and EDA functions . Participation in the County HRA function but not in the EDA function . Participation in the County EDA function but not in the County HRA function . No participation in either function. Communities will find it helpful to know how the levy will be determined and how revenues will be allocated in considering which of the above options is in its best interests. Report of the Anoka County Economic Development Exploratory Committee.