MPRB proposes 6.16% levy

At its July 20 meeting, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Commissioners voted unanimously to support a 2023 tax levy increase request to the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) of 6.16 percent. If passed by the BET, the levy increase for the MPRB will result in a 1.1 percent increase in city 2023 property taxes overall, which amounts to an approximate $18 annual increase in property taxes for owners of a median value home. This is not factoring changes to property valuations, which have increased throughout the city and will push this further upwards. Currently, of every dollar homeowner’s pay for property taxes, 7.6 cents go to the MPRB.
The proposed tax levy includes three distinct elements. The first is to maintain current service levels, including $260,000 needed to support the MPRB’s 2021 six-year arrangement with the city for the historic $2.6 million youth investment that began in 2022, and $576,000 to offset the State of Minnesota Local Government Aid funding decrease due to the current legislative session ending without passage of a new tax bill.
The second element is $389,000 for system equity investment largely due to the activation and increased use of parks within the downtown service area and regional park system. This investment will provide for increased safety and security with the addition of two park police officers and the conversion of part-time park patrol agent hours to two full-time park patrol agents.
The third element is $443,000 to support the board adopted strategic direction to care for park assets to meet evolving needs and practices. This investment will provide professional staff, two project managers and one systems analyst.
There will be public comment opportunities Oct. 26, Nov. 2 and 16, and Dec. 7 and 14.