This week’s question came to the Eden Prairie News from the Eden Prairie Taxpayers Alliance:“The Eden Prairie Taxpayers Alliance (EPTA) is an all-volunteer citizen organization that is concerned about the ongoing tax increases and the high spending levels at the city,” according to their Web site.Their question:Q: Do you support the appointment of an independent citizens budget task force to review and provide input on how unnecessary spending can be reduced in the city of Eden Prairie? Explain why or why not. 

Mayoral candidates

Ron Case: “If the devil is in the details, the word ‘independent’ is problematic in a local government framework that uses ‘advisory’ commissions and task forces to ‘assist’ and ‘recommend’ proposals to the council. The budget is the single most important document to an elected body because it is the record of its priorities, goals and programs. I support a group of experts in business, education and the nonprofit world who can offer feedback, suggestions and advice to the City Manager and council on myriad financial topics, but by employing the concept of ‘unnecessary spending’ one enters the arena of judgment, choice and discretion better suited to an elected body responsible back to the people.”

Phil Young:“I proposed a budget task force to the City Council in March of 2005 because I believe that increased citizen participation in our government is a good thing. The charge to such a group would be to provide input to the City Council, which must itself always retain policy making authority over the scope of city services. The goal would certainly be to look for efficiencies and new ideas but does not presume any level of ‘unnecessary’ spending.”

City Council candidates

Jon Duckstad:“I support a citizens’ budget task force which could help create a more comprehensive budget-making structure. It could bring wider and more in-depth evaluation of spending priorities. This could let us thoughtfully and reasonably restrain increases in property taxes. The City Council could seek budget-building information through an open process that includes greater citizen participation. Through greater interaction among City Council, staff and the community, we could enable wider discussion of priorities before budget decisions are made. The task force also could be a channel for public participation, a gathering point for ideas, a listening point for concerns.

Nina Mackay: “I support the appointment of a citizen task force to review the city’s budget. It is fiscally responsible to have an independent review of the city budget and utilizing expertise volunteered by community members contributes to the efficient use of taxpayer dollars. I believe the task force should be composed of members that represent the diverse backgrounds and needs of our citizens and it should be charged with recommending appropriate spending levels and priorities for city services. A task force with this goal will help us decide between services that represent unnecessary spending and those which we consider vital to our quality of life.”

Kathy Nelson:“Prioritizing services, analyzing budgets and determining taxes is a fundamental job of our City Council. I believe that it is always the responsibility of council members to look for unnecessary spending. If elected I will be a careful steward of Eden Prairie dollars, checking for unnecessary spending, while making sure that the services that have made our city a safe and great place to live continue to be provided. I do not believe that elected representatives should pass this key function to an unelected group who are not directly responsible to the citizens of Eden Prairie.”

Larry Piumbroeck: “No. There is no proof, only the opinion of a small group of narrow interest partisans that there is unnecessary spending by the city. There may be and likely is spending that can be analyzed and reduced or eliminated but the consequences of these decisions must be borne by those we elect. These matters are too important to be handed over in a proxy fashion to an unelected group of citizens with an agenda not focused on the benefits for all our citizens. I do support the city manager’s proposal to establish an advisory panel of business leaders to advise the city on best practices.”

Gary Stevens: “We have highly talented individuals in this community who are willing to volunteer for this type of a ‘task force.’ I don’t know if there is unnecessary spending or not, but their purpose would be to provide some outside consultation and input to the city. If there are suggestions on making us more cost effective, that’s great. If no suggestions, that means we are running as a very cost-effective city and we should all be pleased. Over the past three years I have volunteered on a similar budget committee with Eden Prairie Community Educational Services. From firsthand experience, this process works.”

Jeff Strate: “Ultimate oversight of city spending is the charge of our elected City Council members and mayor. Because of the ad hoc nature of advisory task force panels, I do not support formation of a “budget task force” to evaluate city spending – it’s just too important an issue. City Manager Scott Neal’s newly forming Business Advisory Committee is more promising. As Mr. Neal and his division directors develop budgets, they will now have ongoing, knowledgeable input from the business community. Debate about budget accountability has been too narrow and pinched. For fresher air, visit my Web site at www.electjeffstrate.com/.”

 Editor’s Note: The Eden Prairie Taxpayers for Change, a political action committee that is an offshoot of the Eden Prairie Taxpayers Alliance, has endorsed Phil Young for mayor. Watch next week’s issue for responses from the candidates to another question from the community.