Monday, September 15, 2014

Fall into the September-October Issue of Minnesota Cities Mag

The September-October issue of Minnesota Cities magazine mailed last week to subscribers, and is available online now. Check out these highlights—rivaled only by the changing fall colors on their way:

You may know that Dave Kleis, mayor of St. Cloud, and Tom Harmening, city manager of St. Louis Park, each received LMC awards this year. But beyond the official introductions and speeches, what does their work really look like on the ground? Learn more about the careers of these two distinguished city officials in Celebrating City Champions.

How does a city turn acres of poo into an award-winning habitat project? By retiring leaking wastewater treatment ponds and transform them into bucolic, handicap-accessible pheasant hunting grounds. Get the dirty details of Madelia’s ingenious plan and find out why they call Madelia the “Pheasant Capital of Minnesota” in Ideas in Action: Madelia Brings Land Back to Life.

The League of Minnesota Cities’ 22nd annual property tax report is out, and chock full of information about trends and recent policy changes affecting the property tax system. Teaser: The greatest market value growth was seen in the smallest population category. Get the rest of our reader-friendly League analysis in the 2014 Property Tax Report.

As always, columns such as Ask LMC (LMC staff answer YOUR questions), As I See It (Executive Director Jim Miller reflects on role confusion and dysfunction), and Letter of the Law (new HR law changes you need to know now) are all available to help you transition into autumn with a little extra know-how to wow.