Voters in Maple Grove to Decide Whether Sales Tax Helps Fund Community Center Renovation, Expansion
Voters in Maple Grove will get to decide if a sales and use tax can be used to help fund renovations and expansion to the Maple Grove Community Center.
The community center is more than 20 years old and needs repair work. The population of Maple Grove has grown by more than 23,000 people since the facility was built, and more than 700,000 visitors, some of whom are not residents, visit the community center every year for activities or sporting events.
Last year Maple Grove got permission from the state legislature to ask voters for a local option sales tax. In this week’s city council meeting, the council approved the wording that will go on the ballot this November, asking voters for a sales and use tax of one-half of one percent to help fund renovation and expansion.
CITY QUESTION 1 (MAPLE GROVE) Imposition of Sales and Use Tax
“Shall the City of Maple Grove impose a sales and use tax of one-half of one percent
(0.50%) for no more than 20 years or until $90,000,000 plus an amount equal to interest
and the costs of the issuance of any bonds is raised, to finance the renovation and
expansion of the Maple Grove Community Center, which could include the following:
the addition of a third sheet of ice and walking track; expansion of aquatics facilities
and locker rooms; expansion of expo/banquet facilities and space for seniors; new
space for the arts and the historical society; and renovation and improvement of HVAC
systems, roofs, and building structures?”
Council members expressed support that voters would be the ones deciding adding a sales tax.
“Everyone who has called me or asked me about it thought it was a nice way to do it because over half the cost would be paid by non-residents,” said council member Phil Leith. “I will also be supporting it to let the residents decide what they want to do.”
The lone council member who voted against the question was Kristy Barnett, who expressed concern over timing.
“I think the timing is wrong. I would like us to pause on this project and ask for approval to come back in two years,” said Barnett. “I am hearing from residents that this is really a bad time because of inflation.”
You can learn more about the question here.
