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referendum. -A three million dollar bond referendum, increasing <br />the average household's taxes by $36.00 yearly,. -was favored by a <br />sixty-one percent to twenty-two percent division. Supporters - <br />cited the need for the facility and the good that would come from <br />it" for all residents. Opponents more frequently mentioned the, <br />tax increase required to pay for it. With an aggressive <br />campaign, the chances of successfully passing a bond referendum <br />for a community center are quite high! <br />Two other aspects of the Community Center. were assessed. <br />Residents :split -evenly on the issue of city subsidization of <br />operating costs: forty-four percent favored,-- while forty-four <br />percent opposed. -.And, the projected usage of a •nursery <br />school program at the facility would be about sixteen percent of <br />the households in the community, if space were available. <br />While many of the findings of this study trend with the <br />results 'of the previous effort, there are several -noticeable <br />changes. First, there is a growing concern about the parks and <br />recreation systema Maintenance, limited equipment and <br />facilities, and_'safety were perceived shortcomings. Second, <br />there is a' greater willingness of residents to' support tax <br />increases for -certain purposes, such as the park system and- a <br />community center. And, third; there is a growing stability among <br />residents: turnover rates can be expected to drop systematically <br />over the next decade if trends continue. <br />As ._a consequence of these_ changes,though, residential <br />expectations 'about Mounds View are also changing.' -People 'are <br />generally content in their community. But, with more residents <br />intending to stay longer, they are willing to -make longer -.term <br />investments in the community." This is.much more than a subtle <br />shift. It is both a challenge and an. -opportunity for city <br />decision -makers and staff: continuing the well-regarded policies <br />of the past, but combining them with innovative"and pro -active <br />policies for the future. But, .even so, the residents, in their <br />current optimistic mood have the confidence that the City will be. <br />.able to effectively handle this additional responsibility. <br />7 <br />