OVER $89.2 MILLION IN SPENDING TO BE UP FOR ‘YAY’ OR ‘NAY’ FROM VOTERS

by Joseph Back

If there’s one thing that brings out the electorate to vote, it’s taxes. Just ask anyone with long-term experience in government, at any level.

All but promising a good turnout then is the news that voters will have not one, not two, but THREE PROPERTY TAX QUESTIONS ON THE BALLOT this November 2.

Two are in regard to independent school district (ISD) 833, while the third is for a proposed community center across from Ravine Regional Park projected to cost $39.2 million.

The first ballot question related to the school district, meanwhile, seeks revocation of the existing revenue authorization for ISD 833 of $1,536.60 per pupil and replacing this with a new authorization for $1,886.60 per pupil, subject to annual increase “at the cost of inflation.”

The second question seeks to fund technology needs in ISD 833, estimated to cost $50 million over a ten-year period. Each ballot question related to school spending is independent of the other and requires a simple majority to be approved, which brings us to the third and final ask.

The third tax question, whether to approve $39.2 million bond for “Acquisition, Design, Construction and Betterment” of a proposed community center, would see construction of a proposed Community Center to include aquatics, meeting rooms, an indoor kitchen, and a sports dome.

As with the school district referendum questions, the proposed Community Center across from Ravine Regional Park requires a simple majority of participating voters to be approved. Much of the projected Community Center costs relate to the construction of the aquatics center portion, with an outdoor pool having a lower capital cost to build and maintain than an indoor pool, as explained in a live chat last month between Mayor Myron Bailey and Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Director Zac Dockter.

“We’re trying to be economical,” Bailey said from September as to why the aquatics option for the proposed community center will be outside rather than inside given Minnesota winters.

“People don’t think of using the pool when it’s cold out,” Dockter said of a more expensive indoor option as winter possibility. Mayor Bailey shared in addition that the schools had indoor pools, and there was an option for open pool when not used by the student population for things like swim events. Speaking of which, what about school board?

Not quite as motivating for most voters as taxes but still important, an election for school board seats will also take place, as the successful candidates will be instrumental in moving district policy for the next several years. Check back next week for a closer look at the candidates for each school district—and remember to vote!

It’s your future and the city’s at stake, after all.

UNOFFICIAL Public Notice Cottage Grove voters heading to the polls November 2 will be asked to vote who they want as school board representatives, as well as over $89.2 million in property tax-related questions. Candidates from either ISD 200 or ISD 833 will be on the ballot as these apply to each resident voter’s neighborhood. Ballot images courtesy of the City of Cottage Grove clerk’s office. Official public notices will be run in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.