Clean Water Council Preparing Recommendations for Legacy Funds

Cities requested to review and provide input on clean water fund budget recommendations.
(Published Jul 25, 2012)

The Clean Water Council is a governor-appointed group that makes recommendations to the Legislature and governor on how the clean water fund (clean water section of Legacy sales tax funds) should be appropriated. As part of that process, the Budget and Outcomes Committee (BOC) of the Clean Water Council has asked cities to look at their current draft budget and make comments prior to the formal public comment period.

Mark Knoff, director of public works for the City of Mankato, is a member of the BOC and fills one of two spots on the Clean Water Council reserved for representatives of cities. He shared the BOC draft budget recommendations, a document that contains six sections of information: a cover memo, budget timeline, list of council priorities, draft budget recommendations, rationale for recommendations, and a list of all agency positions funded by the clean water fund.

The BOC budget contains spending recommendations for many programs, including state agency programs to complete required federal assessments and reports related to water quality; agency programs to address surface and ground water quality and quantity; new research and tools for water management; and grant and loan programs for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure that relates to addressing water quality impairments. The spreadsheet section of the BOC draft budget recommendations document shows past spending, what state agencies requested for this biennial cycle, and what the BOC is currently recommending.

The time window for this advance chance for input is very limited; comments are due back by August 2. The BOC recognizes that this is not a lot of time, but there will be a formal comment period in September.

Comments should be sent to Jeff Risberg at jeff.risberg@state.mn.us. It would also be helpful to forward a copy of any comments submitted to Craig Johnson at the League (see right) so the League is aware of comments cities have made.

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