As lawmakers get ready for the 2018 legislative session which begins Tuesday, the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities is asking for additional funding to repair streets and water-and-sewer systems. Mayor Dave Smiglewski says when Granite Falls had to help pay for a new water treatment plant, “Our water rates doubled overnight. It was pretty stark, but you gotta do it. You have no choice.”
Little Falls City Administrator Jon Radermacher says that community’s water rates tripled over two years and will triple again unless there’s state help. Coalition officials say Morris, Pipestone and other communities are also struggling with water system problems.