Some cities around us use the pay-as-you-go formula for city improvements: If you have the money to make improvements, go ahead and make them; if you don’t have the money, don’t.

Perhaps our city leaders should consider ALL Albert Lea residents when deciding on improvements, not just those who are gainfully employed. Minnesota demographics show that one-third of our households in Albert Lea have someone over age 65. Most older adults are retired and on fixed incomes. Fixed incomes don’t increase, but all our expenses do. Even the president wants to cut some of our Social Security income. That means with taxes going up, we will have less money for the things we need, and much less discretionary funds to help build the local economy.

 

Lenore Fries
Albert Lea