A few surprising elements to St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter's 2024 budget proposal, which he outlined today at the city's new Highland Bridge development.
Along with more funding for crime prevention and a modest increase in the property tax levy, Carter says he'd like to partner with a national firm to pay of the medical debt of the city's lowest-income residents.
"Leveraging our IP medical debt's proven 100 to one payoff model, I am proposing a one-time, $1 million investment of America Rescue Plan funds to purchase and completely eliminate all of it," said Carter.
Carter says too many families who can't afford to pay their medical bills end up forgoing their daily needs.
During his address, the mayor also called for a moment of silence for the family of 12-year old Markee Jones, who was accidentally shot and killed by his brother last weekend.
There is another proposal worth $7.5 million to reduce gun violence. Carter says preventing crime in the first place is the ultimate goal.
"But arresting people after they commit a crime isn't good enough," says the mayor. "I, almost daily, hear Chief Henry equate making an arrest after a crime has occurred to winning a bronze medal."
The Mayor made a push for a 1% citywide sales tax on this Fall's ballot to help fund a reconstruction plan for St. Paul's crumbling streets.
"Not only does this proposal present our only viable option to-date, to proactively fund the improvements our streets and parks so urgently demand, it uniquely invites thousands of non-resident users of our streets and parks to contribute to their outcome," says Carter.
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The plan includes a 3.7% increase in the city's property tax levy. That's substantially down from last year's 15% increase, allowing some homeowners to actually see a reduction in their property taxes.
Carter took time to acknowledge a group of firefighters who turned out to picket his address over ongoing contract negotiations with the city.
"To the firefighters in attendance today, I see you, and I am as eager as you are to resolve your contract," Carter told them. "Our city team remains willing to negotiate in good faith, and looks forward to resolving all of these issues in the coming weeks."
Mayor Carter's budget proposal now heads to the city council, which will come up with a final plan by the end of the year.