Column: Vern Rasmussen, From the Mayor’s Desk

Community is a very common word, but do we really know what it means? Webster’s dictionary defines community as “a unified body of individuals.”

We will all look at this definition and see different positives and negatives in the words. The power in this definition is held in two words — unified and individuals. It is the strong communities that use these words to build a foundation for success.

Our community has been given a challenge as a result of the state of Minnesota budget solution. With the state’s solution, the city of Albert Lea will see a reduction in local government aid of $600,000 and market value credit of $360,000. These monies will have to be accounted for in the next five months of this year and budgeted for in the coming years.

Over the next several months, city staff and council will be working to ensure the financial health of our community. I feel it’s important for everyone to know that the city of Albert Lea is healthy financially, but we cannot continue with our current spending.

Municipalities are not allowed to operate with a budget deficit. We have to understand that the next budget will be challenging. The city needs to evaluate all its services and determine what is important. Understandably, we will have varying opinions on the solutions. Nonetheless, working together we will succeed.

The picture is big, and the solutions are many for our community. As a staff and council, we will look at this as a challenge and not an obstacle. The success of this challenge will position our community for the future thus opening the doors to opportunity for increased tax base and controlling future costs.

As a council, we will ask everyone for ideas, conversation and understanding to help build our community — a unified body of individuals.

Vern Rasmussen is the mayor of Albert Lea.