I have always thought that the convuluted mix of responsibility between our city government and county government, especially with regards to the "unequitable" mix of tax responsibility, was awkward, at best, and unfair to the taxpayers inside the city limits. I think it is time to at least think
about the distinct separation of city functions and county functions.
There should be no case where city residents are paying for the benifits enjoyed by the county residents or at least no case where county residents are not paying, on an "equal" basis with the county residents for those services. I don't mean almost an equal basis but an equal basis.
This problem has existed, hidden under the carpet, almost since the city was founded and is one of the forces driving the basis for "back scratching" between the city and county members for years. In fact, without the city, there would hardly be a functioning county budget except for those funds obtained from the state.
In my opinion, there exists a "problem" in the funding of the schools, a funding of fire protection and responder services and as stated in another story a problem with the funding of the library. There are problems in other areas to include water and sewer services provided to others outside of the city limits also.
In my opinion and the opinion of others inside the cities geographical limits, there should be thought given to a complete separation of some of these functions and especially thought given to the "fair" distribution of costs in providing these services. I am sure that after having your hand held for such a long period of time, by the cities residents, there will be some "separation anxiety" and angst felt by those in the county but I can find no viable reason, logic or internal need to pay for most of the benifits the city provides for the counties residents except for those benifits that are incidental to visitation by those residents. I mean I could call it "alms" or "charity" but not at all logical to "over tax" the cities residents for the benifit of the county.
I mean, San Francisco and New York city are having problems also and, like those cases, I see no need for the cities residents of Internationa Falls to be paying for the needs of those fine folks either or the residents of either Duluth or St. Louis county.
Lastely, If I am "paying the bill", then I am going to be making 100% of the decisions regarding how, where and when that money is to be spent. That includes 100% of the decision making regarding the schools and the those matters pertaining to the schools future, fire and responder services and water and sewer services. Am I wrong to not want to want to be the one who decides what happens to my dollar??
