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Friday, October 27, 2006
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Brainerd-Baxter cooperation mulled in Ward 2
Staff Writer Where the cities of Brainerd and Baxter could further cooperate elicited quite different responses from Brainerd City Council Ward 2 candidates.
Incumbent Kelly Bevans and challengers Jan Lambert and Glen Nygard all agree there should be some level of combined services, such as what already exists with fire service and the wastewater treatment facility.
In discussing the issue Thursday at the Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce candidate forum at Brainerd High School, Bevans said fiscal options should be considered and the question should be presented to Brainerd residents. Lambert favored open communication on future combined service needs. Nygard believed the two cities should be combined, or at least have combined departments. He said Baxter has only grown because of the services provided to it by Brainerd.
"We should be one city. It'd be best for both Baxter and Brainerd residents," Nygard said.
¥ On supporting the local sales tax to pay for the wastewater treatment plant expansion, Bevans and Lambert said it was needed to avoid increased property taxes or fees to pay for the project. While Nygard said he supported the local sales tax, he described it as a Catch-22. While he doesn't agree with new taxes, he realizes it will be needed in order to pay for the wastewater treatment plant project.
¥ On whether Brainerd has enough green space, Nygard said the city operated under crisis management when it purchased the Ahlm property several years ago for park property, which has since not been used. Bevans said vision for green space is important and while the Ahlm property might not be used now, it will be appreciated in the future as the city grows. Lambert said the city doesn't have enough green space and probably couldn't ever have enough.
¥ On specific changes they would make to ensure greater fiscal responsibility, Bevans said he would continue holding the line as the council has for the past four years in not raising the city's tax rate. Lambert said the council could look at consolidating department functions. Nygard said city departments have to work together to keep spending and the tax rate down.
MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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