Background Information

In August 2020, the Rochester City Council voted unanimously to move a suggested Parks funding referendum to the November 2020 General Election ballot. With some reservations about the current and future economy as a result of COVID-19, the City Council felt it was only fair to allow the residents to vote on a funding measure.  The measure was strongly supported by the Park Board, as well as the Parks Foundation.

If approved, there would be strict accountability:

• There will be full public disclosure of how the funds are spent.
• There will be an annual public audit of how the funds are spent.
• Funds raised locally could be matched by funds from the state and federal government and private sources.

If approved, there improvements to the parks would be made:

• Maintaining and improving our existing parks to make them cleaner and safer
• Repairing and improving recreation facilities to keep our children safe and out of trouble
• Improving access to parks and recreational facilities for people with disabilities

Ballot Language

WATER AND AIR QUALITY, NATURAL AREAS, AND PARK IMPROVEMENT LEVY:

Shall the City of Rochester, Minnesota, be authorized to levy property taxes in the amount of $2,000,000 to provide a dedicated source of funding to protect water quality and natural areas; conserve trees and wooded areas that help to protect air quality; improve access to existing parks and recreational facilities for kids and people with disabilities; improve park safety; and maintain, operate, and improve existing parks?

There will be full public disclosure of how the funds are spent. Funds raised by the City could be matched by funds from the state and federal government and private sources.

It is estimated that the average residential homeowner would pay an additional $33.00 per year. The maximum amount of increased levy as a percentage of market value is 0.0168 percent. The maximum amount that would be raised by the new referendum tax rate in the first year if it were to be levied is $2,000,000.

BY VOTING “YES” ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What must the money be used for?

Funds would be used for:

• Protect water quality and natural areas;
• Conserving trees and wooded areas that help to protect air quality;
• Maintaining and improving our existing parks to make them cleaner and safer
• Repairing and improving recreation facilities to keep our children safe and out of trouble
• Improving access to parks and recreational facilities for people with disabilities
• Additional priorities identified in the Rochester Parks System Plan

2. What’s the bottom line? How much will it cost me? If approved, how much will my taxes go up?

It is estimated that the average residential homeowner would pay an additional $33.00 per year.

3. Why fund this with a property tax?  

The property tax is generally more broad-based and paid only by property owners in Rochester. The levy is also more flexible, as it can be used to fund operations and maintenance as well capital needs for parks and conservation.  For these reasons, the Rochester City Council voted unanimously to refer the measure to the ballot to allow citizens to vote on it.

4. How will I know the money will be wisely spent? What kind of accountability is there to the taxpayers?

If approved, there would be strict accountability:

• There will be full public disclosure of how the funds are spent.
• There will be an annual public audit of how the funds are spent.
• Funds raised locally could be matched by funds from the state and federal government and private sources.

5. Why is this needed now?

This goes back to the master planning done in 2015. It was Rochester’s first system-wide plan and it was long overdue. The master plan found that the park and recreational facilities are outdated and have been neglected for years.

Overall, it was determined that $80 million worth of improvement are necessary to bring the system up to date. The master plan also recognizes that Rochester is growing and proposes building of the new recreation facilities that Rochester residents have been asking for. Funding over the past few years has been inadequate to meet park needs. To meaningfully address these problems, a new revenue source is needed. 

6. Why now, in the middle of a global pandemic, with personal and economic hardships?

While there were concerns about moving forward with this initiative at this time, the needs of the parks have not diminished. In fact, recently there’s been higher usage of Rochester’s parks than ever before. In these troubled times, having close-to-home recreational opportunities such as parks and trails where we can get some fresh air and be safe, is even more important than ever.

7. Do other Minnesota Cities have a tax dedicated for parks?

Yes! The City of Blaine passed a referendum in 2000 and in 2018, Brooklyn Park also passed dedicated parks funding.  

8. How much money will be raised?

If approved by the voters, the bonds will generate up to $2 million, annually. The referendum would raise at least $60 million to spend if it passes and continues for 30 years, but project planning would be spread across decades.

9. How do I vote on Rochester City Question #1: Shall the City of Rochester, Minnesota, be authorized to levy property taxes in the amount of $2,000,000 to provide a dedicated source of funding to protect water quality and natural areas; conserve trees and wooded areas that help to protect air quality; improve access to existing parks and recreational facilities for kids and people with disabilities; improve park safety; and maintain, operate, and improve existing parks?

General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2020; voting hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can check where to vote using the Secretary of State Polling Place Finder. Please visit the Secretary of State website for additional Election Day Voting information.