Letter: I Support Dave Wahlstedt

To the editor:

Did you know the approved 2012 Hennepin County budget exceeds $1.6 billion? That’s an increase of 2.5 percent or $40 million over the 2011 adjusted budget.  2.5 percent may not seem like a big deal, given our current economic situation, however it’s wise to determine where the money is actually going. Take for instance, the purchase of the 701 Building in downtown Minneapolis. The county's 2011 tax-assessed value of the property was $10.9 million, according to property tax records, which is less than half of the $25.8 million that the county commissioners agreed to pay for the building. This $15 million delta represents just under 38 percent of the total budget increase from 2011 to 2012 … for one building! Not only did the county pay more than double the assessed tax value, they plan to pay for it by becoming a significant player in the commercial leasing business in downtown Minneapolis. I, for one, am not interested in supporting a commission that carelessly overspends and makes reckless business decisions, knowing they can simply increase taxes to fund their mistakes. 

We need fiscally responsible leaders who understand the value of every tax dollar they spend. For this reason, my family and I fully endorse Dave Wahlstedt for County Commissioner in the 6^th District. 

Michael Splittgerber, Eden Prairie