ST. PAUL (KVRR/FOX9) — A group of 98 mayors from across Minnesota have sent a joint letter to state leaders raising concerns about widespread fraud.

It includes the signature of mayors in our region from Hawley, Fergus Falls, Perham, Hitterdal, Barnesville, Thief River Falls, Mahnomen, Wadena, Roseau, Warroad and Breckenridge.

They are also concerned about unfunded mandates and rising costs that they say are shifting financial burdens onto cities and local taxpayers.

The mayor argue these pressures are contributing to higher property tax levies, limits on public safety staffing and delays in infrastructure investments.

The letter points to the loss of an $18 billion budget surplus and projected $3 billion deficit in the 2028-29 biennium as evidence of inconsistent fiscal management.

Read the full letter here:  mn-mayors-letter-with-signatures-final-1