08-14-2024 Resolution 12231City of Richfield County of Hennepin State of Minnesota City of Richfield County of Hennepin State of Minnesota City of Richfield County of Hennepin State of Minnesota City of Richfield County of Hennepin State of Minnesota
RESOLUTION NO. 12231
RESOLUTION ADOPTING TITLE AND BALLOT LANGUAGE PERTAINING TO A
LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX AUTHORIZED BY THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE,
TO BE SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE
CITY OF RICHFIELD AT THE GENERAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 5, 2024
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Section 297A.99 (the “Local Tax Act”), provides
the City of Richfield (the “City”) with authority to impose a local sales tax if that tax is
approved by a legislative special law and by the voters at a general election; and
WHEREAS, the State Legislature approved the local sales tax pursuant to 2023
Minn. Laws, Ch. 64, Art. 10, Sec. 37.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Richfield City Council, that:
1. To facilitate strategic investment in the region and community, the City will propose
to electors the imposing of a local sales and use tax (“sales tax”) of one-half of one
percent (0.50%) on items that are taxable by the State, to raise revenue to fund the
construction of a new Richfield Community Center, the enhancement and restoration
of recreation facilities located at Veterans Park, and the construction of a new Wood
Lake Nature Center main building.
2. The proposal to impose the Sales Tax shall be submitted to qualified voters of the
City as three separate ballot questions as part of the November 5, 2024 General
Election.
3. The Sales Tax described herein is approved, subject to voter consent. The Sales
Tax will be used exclusively to fund the capital improvements identified in Item 1
above.
4. If any or all of the questions are approved by a majority of voters, the City of
Richfield is only authorized to impose a single one-half of one percent (0.50%) sales
and use tax increase. The Sales Tax may only be imposed for the lesser of two time
periods: 20 years or until enough sales tax revenue has been raised to pay for the
costs of the approved projects, plus the cost of the issuance of any bonds, including
interest, in the amount of:
a. $45,000,000 (plus the cost of bond issuance and interest) for the construction of
a new Richfield Community Center.
b. $9,000,000 (plus the cost of bond issuance and interest) for the repair and
renovation of the recreation facilities at Veterans Park.
c. $11,000,000 (plus the cost of bond issuance and interest) for the construction of
a new main building at Wood Lake Nature Center.
5. The Richfield City Clerk is hereby directed by the City Council to follow the
notification and election procedures applicable to placing the three local sales tax
questions on the ballot for the 2024 General Election in order to seek the approval of
the proposed sales tax by the voters of the City.
6. The City Clerk is hereby directed to notify the County Auditor of the ballot questions
by the deadline outlined in Minnesota Statutes, Section 205.16, Subdivision 4, and
submit the title and questions for inclusion on the November 5, 2024 General
Election Ballot in the following form:
The City of Richfield is asking residents for authority to impose a one-half of one
percent (0.5%) sales and use tax. The funds received would support three separate
parks and recreation projects to restore natural habitat and improve recreational
facilities in the city. Residents must consider each project individually. If multiple
questions are approved, the maximum total sales tax by the city would be 0.5% with a
maximum of 20 years. The City must terminate the tax earlier than 20 years if the
amount received is sufficient to pay for project and financing costs.
City Question 1
SALES AND USE TAX FOR NEW COMMUNITY CENTER
Shall the City of Richfield impose a sales and use tax of one-half of one percent (0.5%)
for up to 20 years, to finance up to $45 million plus the cost of interest and of issuing
bonds, to build a new community center?
• Yes
• No
By voting "yes" on this question you are voting to use a local sales tax in Richfield to pay
for a new building that provides wellness and recreational activities, replacing the current
Community Center. If multiple questions are approved, the maximum total sales tax by
the city would be 0.5% with a maximum of 20 years. The City must terminate the tax
earlier than 20 years if the amount received is sufficient to pay for project and financing
costs.
City Question 2
SALES AND USE TAX FOR VETERANS PARK IMPROVEMENTS
Shall the City of Richfield impose a sales and use tax of one -half of one percent (0.5%)
for up to 20 years, to finance up to $9 million plus the cost of interest and of issuing
bonds, to enhance and restore facilities at Veterans Park including the outdoor pool, park
trails and ice arena?
• Yes
• No
By voting "yes" on this question, you are voting to use a local sales tax in Richfield to
pay for the repairs and improvements of the pool, trails and pavilion, ice arena,
bandshell and minigolf building at Veterans Park. If multiple questions are approved,
the maximum total sales tax by the city would be 0.5% with a maximum of 20 years.
The City must terminate the tax earlier than 20 years if the amount received is sufficient
to pay for project and financing costs.
City Question 3
SALES AND USE TAX FOR NEW WOODLAKE NATURE CENTER BUILDING
Shall the City of Richfield impose a sales and use tax of one-half of one percent (0.5%)
for up to 20 years, to finance up to $11 million plus the cost of interest and of issuing
bonds, to build a new Wood Lake Nature Center building?
• Yes
• No
By voting "yes" on this question you are voting to use a local sales tax in Richfield to pay
for a new educational facility and site updates, replacing the current Wood Lake Nature
Center building. If multiple questions are approved, the maximum total sales tax by the
city would be 0.5% with a maximum of 20 years. The City must terminate the tax earlier
than 20 years if the amount received is sufficient to pay for project and financing costs.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Richfield, Minnesota, this 14th day of
August, 2024.
Mary B. Supple, Mayor
ATTEST:
Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk