Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 08/09/2007

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Orqanizational Options 15 2. Each Anoka County community must be assured that it could elect to participate or to ~ithdraw 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 BRA operating with EDA powers. Rather, a community's decision whether to participate would require a resolution ad()pted by the community's governing body. A representative of the Anoka Cooo:tyAttorney's Office orally advised committee members that Milmesota Statutes Se~tion 469.1082 provides for local determination for cities to p~cipate in "a", county economic development organization, regardless of,:\~ether the county;est~blishes an EDA or extends EDA operating powers to th~~xistin~HRA. Moreqver, state law does not preclude a city's ability to form anE~~and provides a mechanism for these communities that want to\ blish an~ on the operating area of a COUDty HRA.~' 3. Anoka CountyrolIm:1unities'\\'o~need information on how the levy will be deterTnined~nd howr~venues will be allocated between housing and~fonof!:lii~5~~,~',e.lopment activities. In evaluatin~.*~,.}leedf?~:.:ffi;rncr'ease~:c()unty role in economic development, committe~memDef$J,~mpbasized the importance that some city councils and townshipj", boards mig~;.. plac~L on local levy implications, in considering participati6nin a County':l:ffiA 5perating with EDA powers. They advised the COUDty to research and,develop information explaining the maximum levy authority of the County-BRA exercising EDA powers and how revenues would be allocated betweell housing and economic development activities. Four possibilities exist for community participation _ in.2 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 detem1ined and how revenues will be allocated in considering which of the above options is in its best interests. 30 Report of the Anoka County Economic Development Exploratory Committee.