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Session boosts library, veterans
RTC gets 15-year property tax exemption
Published Monday, May 19, 2008
This year’s legislative session left three Fergus Falls projects with additional funding, though in some cases, not as much as expected. Included in the final bonding bill is a 15-year property tax exemption for a developer of the Regional Treatment Center (RTC), something local lawmakers had been pushing for for months.
What was not included was a historic tax credit provision worth $500,000, said Sen. Dan Skogen (D-Hewitt).
“It would have been very nice to have it,” he said. “The combination of the two really would have opened the door for a developer to look at (the RTC).”
Yet Rep. Bud Nornes (R-Fergus Falls) said the absence of the historic tax credit doesn’t deal a fatal blow. The city really wanted the property tax exemption, Nornes said, and though the tax credit wasn’t included in this session, it can be revisited next year.
“It doesn’t mean it’s over,” he said. “We just have to work on it another time.”
Lawmakers came through with about $3 million for expansion at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, a project that will include a 21-bed special care unit. The state funds one-third of the project, Nornes said, with the rest of the money coming from the federal government.
The bonding bill also includes $1.5 million for library projects around the state, down from the $10 million Skogen said he had originally lobbied for. The Fergus Falls Public Library will apply for a grant from the $1.5 million pool as it looks to fund expansion on the building’s south side.
The Fergus Falls city council will hold a work session on libray expansion at 4:30 p.m. today in the council chambers.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by dltoll (anonymous) on May 19, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know a lot more people use the library {year around} compared to the golf course 6 months use. I hope the city fathers will be just as generous with funding for the library.
Posted by Timray18 (anonymous) on May 19, 2008 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
May I second the motion to fund the library!! Living now in San Diego I can say the Fergus Falls Library is a jewel. You really don't know the value you have there where like the "Cheers" program...everyone knows your name. Here in San Diego I belong to 2 different systems....it would be nice to have your library here. From the Fergus Falls location I could access the country. Here I have one system that does not talk to the other. I never know which system will come through on my requests.....miss you Walt and Gang!!!
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