This week, Austin community members will have the chance to put in their two cents.

The League of Minnesota Cities is holding four “community conversations” in Austin so community members can discuss city-provided services and ways to pay for them.

Austin City Council member-at-large Janet Anderson said the community conversations could be very telling and will help the entire state, not just Austin.

“It could have a statewide impact,” Anderson said. “Someone could have some really valuable insight.”

The League of Minnesota Cities is going to prepare a report that reflects the findings of the community conversations, which are taking place in 10 Minnesota cities. Anderson said the report could help give legislators ideas or a sense of direction when drafting budget legislation in the future.

“(The conversations) certainly aren’t going to tell us everything, but they will give us some indication of what people’s priorities are,” she said. “It’s like one more tool to use to get a feel for what direction we can go.”

The conversations will have a facilitator from the League of Minnesota Cities, but the 90-minute sessions will be discussion-oriented with everyone playing a part. City officials have said they will not attend.

“If the mayor or council people were there, there wouldn’t be as candid of a conversation,” Anderson said.

Anderson said it’s not too late for community members to get involved. Anyone wanting to attend any of the four sessions should RSVP.

League of cities Community Conversations

Session 1:
Monday, Aug. 1, noon to 1:30 p.m. at Mower County Senior Center.
Lunch will be provided.
Topic: What services should cities provide?
RSVP to Sara Schafer at the Senior Center: saras@mcs-inc.org or call Sara at 433-2370, ext 3
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Session 2:
Monday, Aug. 1, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Riverland Community College – West Campus Cafeteria.
Refreshments will be served.
Topic: What do you think can change about how city services are delivered?
RSVP to Judy Enright at Riverland: judy.enright@riverland.edu or call 433-0636

Session 3:
Tuesday, Aug. 2, noon to 1:30 p.m. at Hormel Nature Center Ruby Rupner Auditorium.
Lunch will be provided.
Topic: How should we pay for city services?
RSVP to the Austin Chamber of Commerce: admin@austincoc.com or call 437-4561

Last Session:
Wednesday, Aug. 3, 7 to- 8:30 p.m. at Mower County Senior Center.
Refreshments will be served.
Topic: What kind of future do we want for our cities?
RSVP to Danica Olson at KSMQ: dolson@ksmq.org or call 433-0638
KSMQ-TV will tape this session and segments will be aired at a later date.