Cash, no credit: Libertarians shake up Minneapolis suburb

Cash, no credit: Libertarians shake up Minneapolis suburb | iNFOnews.ca
This Oct. 28, 2016 photo shows the City of Crystal Public Works facility in Crystal, Minn. The Minneapolis suburb has become a mini-laboratory for Libertarian principles with a rare working majority on the City Council. In keeping with the party's frugal philosophy, the city spent $13 million in cash on the new public works building instead of borrowing the money. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

CRYSTAL, Minn. – The Minneapolis suburb of Crystal, Minnesota, has become a mini-laboratory for Libertarian principles.

The Libertarian Party holds a rare working majority on the City Council. And in keeping with the party’s frugal philosophy, Crystal spent $13 million in cash on a new public works building instead of borrowing the money on the bond market, the usual way local governments finance big projects.

The city of 22,500 people is also editing down the municipal code to remove what the Libertarians say are outdated, unenforceable or silly ordinances. And the city’s human rights commission has been all but eliminated.

On the other hand, the city has raised property taxes and water and sewer fees.

Critics say the Libertarians don’t know what they’re doing and are mismanaging the city financially.

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