Posted at: 06/12/2012 12:14 PM
Updated at: 06/12/2012 12:21 PM
By: Gordon Severson

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Tax Reform Advisory Group Stops in Rochester

(ABC 6 News) -- To help develop a better budget plan next year, the governor created a tax reform advisory group. They've been leap frogging around the state for the past few weeks. Friday they made a stop in our area.

At the Mayo Civic Center a handful of local mayors and revenue experts spent the day talking about property taxes and local government aid. Their hoping to gather several recommendations in order to make the system more fair for the people of Minnesota.

Over the past few years, property owners have seen a steady increase in taxes. The Minnesota Department of Revenue is trying to find out why.

In April they met in St. Cloud where the general concensus was to keep things simple and fair. This time in Rochester, mayors are asking for clarity.

"What should we be funding. How should we fund them? Are there different kinds of ways we can share revenue? Are there different ways we can focus on what should be paid for. The goal really is to help cities and counties and townships fund their services in a way that they don't continue to rely on increasing property taxes."

It's not just the mayors that are making their opinions heard. The commission is also holding public hearings all across the state. In fact just last night at the Rochester Public Library they held a public hearing where 50 people came and made their voices heard. They do plan on holding future public hearings. we'll keep you posted on when and where those occur.