2019 City of Shakopee Budget

107

Budget Impact: Natural Resources can be destroyed in a matter of seconds by nature and developers but can take years and decades to restore. A key initiative to avoid this destruction was to create the Natural Resources Division. This division is tasked with implementing initiatives to preserve and protect the city’s urban forest, wetlands, plantings in open spaces, buffers around water bodies, invasive plant management and public education on natural resource/environment with conservation in mind. The city’s tree stock is such a significant and valuable resource. Trees give us oxygen, absorb storm water and carbon dioxide, store carbon, stabilize the soil, absorb pollutants, prevent flooding and soil erosion, provide shade from solar radiation, reduce noise and wind speed, lower stress and blood pressure, increase property values and so much more. Maintaining safe, healthy trees takes significant efforts, and the city is dedicated to these efforts. Shakopee has received the “Tree City USA” designation for the past nine years for the city’s efforts and commitment to its urban forest management. Contact the Public Works Department for information about purchasing a tree at our annual spring tree sale. In 2018, the city added a new full-time water resources/environmental engineer to spearhead a variety of environmental projects, including natural resources. This position will continue to ensure we are good stewards of our community’s great resources.

EMPLOYEES

PERCENT OF GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES

Natural Resources 0.5%

1

1

0.2

0.2

Actual 2016 Actual 2017 Budget 2018 Budget 2019

Number of Employees (FTEs)