It’s lights out for streetlight fee plan

If Bemidji is any example, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s plan to impose a fee for street lights could be a tough sell.

When he announced his revamped city budget last month, Rybak didn’t disclose details of his fee proposal other than to say it would raise $850,000 and residents won’t pay more than $20 a year.

Bemidji gave initial approval to a $25 a year fee ($60 for businesses) for street lights last week but City Councilor Barb Meuers announced this week that she is withdrawing her support for the fee, according to the Bemidji Pioneer.