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2007 Park Funding Survey <br /> SURVEY QUESTION: Our Parks, Recreation and Trails Committee is studying <br /> potential funding alternatives. They have approved strategies which include a number of <br /> park improvements. As a City, we also have to plan for the costs of on-going <br /> maintenance. I am aware of many funding sources used by cities for parks facilities, <br /> infrastructure, improvements, and maintenance. However, staff would like to develop a <br /> comprehensive list of options that the Committee can study. <br /> Some obvious ideas are to increase your general levy and use park dedication fees. We <br /> are interested in finding out what other sources cities may be using to fund parks, <br /> recreation, and trails. <br /> 1. Kandis Hanson @ the City of Mound <br /> We have partnered with the DNR for the development of boat ramps and fishing piers in <br /> some or our parks bordering water. They also partnered with Wayzata, I think, on a <br /> marina project abutting their city. Needs to be on bodies of water where they have <br /> jurisdiction. _ <br /> 2. Jim Peterson @ Blaine <br /> In 2000,the voters of Blaine did approve a 3.5 million referendum, but it was for the <br /> purchase of land for open space. Our park system is funded in two ways: <br /> 1. Park dedication is required from all residential, commercial and industrial <br /> development. This allows us to acquire and build new parks and provide new facilities in <br /> our community parks and playfields,but does not allow us to use it for operation and <br /> maintenance. <br /> 2. The City annual general fund provides funding for park maintained and operation. We <br /> all know however this is a limited fund and a budgeting struggle each year. <br /> Maybe cities should get their legislators to make cities eligible for funding from Met <br /> Council's appropriation for regional parks? <br /> 3. Aaron Parrish @ Crookston <br /> As a community, we have done a few creative things. We recently built eight new tennis <br /> courts and three athletic fields in partnership with our local school district. We provided <br /> the upfront financing for the project. To repay the investment,we have a lease with the <br /> School District that will recapitalize the fund over a ten year period of time. This allowed <br /> the School District to utilize their lease levy authority. <br /> Continued on next page <br />