05/24/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 Counties surveyed during the pilot phase include Norman, Clay, Wilkin, Traverse, Big Stone, Lac Qui Parle and Washington. The rapid development and resultant loss of natural areas in the Metro area and the continued loss of native prairie habitat across the state were prime reasons for selecting the pilot counties. Funds for the Survey are provided in part by the "Chickadee Check -off' program which allows taxpayers to contribute directly to the Nongame Wildlife Program when paying state income taxes. The database is available to planners, land managers, private individuals and decision makers. For more information on the Survey, contact B.J. Farley, public relations coordinator of the Natural Heritage and Nongame Wildlife programs at 296-3344. * Information for this report is drawn from DNR sources including the Minnesota County Biological Survey Interim Report. Funding for the Yawn! Here goes another article about that unspeakable issue, "How to pay for what Regional Park System we want." But please try to stay with us on this one. Without a stable source of funding the parks will...well you know what will happen. Forty million in general obligation bonds for regional park acquisition with debt service paid by State appropriations provided the basis for Metropolitan Council parks activities starting in 1974. By 1977 State bonds replaced the regional bonds and from 1974 to 1980 the average appropriation was $27.4 million perbiennium. However, from 1981 to 1987 this average dropped to $14.5 million per biennium. Regional park funding is falling far short of its needs. In 1987, the various implementing agencies including St. Paul and Ramsey County, sought $31 million for capital improvement funding despite actual needs of over $50 million. They received $15.5 million. During the first six years of the regional park system the focus was acquisition and from 1975 to 1980 approximately $66.1 million was invested to acquire 14,000 additional acres. since 1981, less than 1,000 acres have been acquired and park development or redevelopment is the major focus with $51.4 million invested. The Metropolitan Council requested $50 million for capital improvement during the 1990 legislative session. The legislature authorized $5 and authorized the Metropolitin Council to use its own bonding authority for more of the regional park needs. Since the Met Council's bonding would affect property taxes, it is doubtful that the bonding authority will be used this year. St. Paul parks need large The numbers make it clear. Funding for urban parks is not at the top of the legislative sums: $32 million at Como agenda. Looking for a stable source of funding, the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Park, 33 million at Harriet Commission and the Met Council are exploring alternatives. Possibilities include a25% Island/Lilydale local matching requirement on regional grants for park and trail development/redevel- opment. This proposal has a serious downside for Ramsey County. Ramsey taxes to the levy limit to cover services and programs and there is little likelihood the County could provide a 25% cost share with regional park dollars. The end result: Ramsey would not receive regional monies. A sales tax to fund the metro regional infrastructure system is another possibility. Included in this system are parks, Light Rail Transit, sewers, etc. A tax of 1/2 to 1 cent are currently being tossed about. The discussion will no doubt heat up before the 1991 legislative session.