Recently Gov. Mark Dayton unveiled the details of his supplemental budget and bonding proposal. While the city of Austin has raised several concerns regarding newly adopted Minnesota Pollution Control Agency standards, I want to make clear in a public way we appreciate the governor including increased funding that would assist cities dealing with these stringent standards.

The governor is calling for an increase of $62 million for the Point Source Implementation Grant (PSIG) program and an additional $105 million for other clean water grant and loan programs through the Public Facilities Authority. While we continue to be a part of advancing efforts that challenge these standards due to their environmental uncertainty and increased cost to our residents and businesses sewer rates, in all fairness one of our chief concerns is that the state was providing an unfunded mandate to the city of Austin for their imposed regulations. We work hard to appropriately budget for future costs associated with the city’s most costly physical asset and these resources can help us deal with the new standards.

Having the financial resources from the State provides a much needed collaborative approach that can continue to make sure Minnesota is a leader in clean water.

Thomas A. Stiehm,

Mayor of Austin