Majority of City Local Sales Tax Ballot Questions Approved by Voters

November 14, 2022

Of the 21 proposed projects on ballots, 18 were approved by voters.

At last week’s election, 14 cities had 21 ballot questions for local sales taxes to fund capital projects of regional significance. Of the 21 proposed projects, 18 were approved by voters.

Although there was no tax bill enacted during the 2022 legislative session, these projects actually received legislative approval in the 2021 omnibus tax bill (Chapter 14, First Special Session). However, other than the City of St. Peter, which successfully conducted its referendum in November 2021, all other city ballot questions were on the 2022 general election ballot.

Eighteen projects that were approved by voters.

Cloquet

  • Repairs and expansion of Cloquet Ice Arena ($6.03 million) were approved 58.84% to 40.16%.
  • Pine Valley Park and Ski Jump ($2.1 million) were approved 50.54% to 49.46%.

Edina 

  • Braemar Park and Arena ($21.6 million) was approved 59.28% to 40.72%.
  • Fred Richards Park improvements ($17.7 million) was approved 52.48% to 47.53%.

Fergus Falls

  • Aquatic Center ($10.8 million) was approved 59.68% to 40.32%.
  • Delagoon Park Improvement project ($5.2 million) was approved 60.07% to 39.93%.

Grand Rapids

  • Reconstruction, remodeling, and upgrades for the IRA Civic Center ($5.98 million) were approved 58.46% to 41.54%.

Hermantown

  • Hockey arena improvements ($10.8 million) were approved 56.70% to 43.30%.
  • Trails and athletic facilities improvements ($4.8 million) were approved 69.19% to 30.81%.
  • Fitchner Park improvements ($$3.9 million) was approved 67.09% to 32.91%.

Litchfield

  • Construction of a community wellness/recreation center ($10 million) was approved 55.66% to 44.34%.

Maple Grove

  • Expansion and renovation of the Maple Grove Community Center ($90 million) was approved 55.44% to 44.56%.

Moorhead

  • Regional library and community center improvements ($31.6 million) were approved 64.37% to 35.63%.

Oakdale

  • Construction of a new public works facility ($22 million) was approved 51.52% to 48.48%.
  • Expansion of Oakdale Police Department facility ($15 million) was approved 55.45% to 44.55%.

Staples

  • Renovations and improvements to the Community Center ($1.6 million) was approved 62.67% to 37.33%.

Waite Park

  • Public safety facility ($20 million) was approved 53.59% to 46.41%.

Warren

  • Construction of a new child-care facility ($1.6 million) was approved 51.15% to 48.85%.

Two county local sales taxes were also approved for projects in Carlton and Itasca counties. In addition to projects approved last week, St. Peter voters last year approved a sales tax for the construction of a new fire station totaling $9.1 million.

The three projects not approved by voters were in St. Cloud, Wadena, and a second project in Waite Park.

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