PRSR INFORMATION 01-02-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the value of their property; only fifteen percent saw no it relationship. An important component in any future park bond referendum elections will be the explicit linkage of this economic self-interest with the parameters of the proposal. Residents were asked their views of a park development package to acquire land and develop park facilities across the community. They were told that the average $80.000 home in Elk River would see a ,property tax increase of about $40. 00 for fifteen years to cover the costs of construction. By a" forty- nine percent to twenty-nine percent margin, residents supported the. ' proposal; ' .but, the support score is' still short ' of a conclusive majority. Even more worrisome, strong support and strong opposition, the most likely referendum voters, were evenly matched at fourteen percent. . The benefits to the community as a whole was cited as the major reason for support; opponents fixated on the property tax costs. While the referendum might be passed in an election with a sufficiently high turnout, a very aggressive campaign would be mandatory. gg P g ry• I Residents were also asked their opinions of a proposal to acquire land along the Mississippi River for park development. Sixty-five percent supported the concept. But, repeating the earlier pattern, when property tax increases were mentioned; a thirty-eight percent to thirty-six percent plurality developed against the project. A referendum to fund this land acquisition • project would be very difficult to win at the polls. The problem of geese in Lions .Park, a 'well-publicized issue, was assessed. ' A fifty-five percent majority of residents rated the issue as either "a minor problem" or "not a ';problem." Only fourteen percent of the sample saw it as "very serious. " While the geese may a nui y sance, - they are not viewed as a burning problem requiring immediate attention. Residents :were, very' pleased with the quality of life in _ Elk River. Ninety-four` percent rated it as either "excellent" or "good," with thirty-seven percent rating it as the former. . The most popular ' aspects of the community were its small , town -` ambience, convenient. location in the Metropolitan Area, the rural and open- locale,_ and its quiet and peaceful atmosphere. : ;Two major concerns;; were mentioned with some- "frequency: ,;; growth- -,. related issues,;"- such, as traffic and `the; pace of development; and 1 poor shopping..;' A significant eighteen `percent of. the - sample reported that =-there .".was "nothing" they disliked - about „, the community. ; Elk ,River" ranks in" the _top quarter among:.communities in the Metropolitan Area on its ;.residential ":satisfaction.' Elk River citizens". proved to be fiscally conservative on`.tax matters, but not ;:dogmatically, anti-tax. :_Fifty-four percent of - ,. - _ the sample would "-favor an -increase, in ..city`: property ;:taxes_ to ? maintain services" at their current levels. Forty eight percent • saw 5. Elk River property taxes .as "about V average" in comparison _ with other-"- communities, only nine, �;percent-� felt ',they ',were "" "excessively high°:." When_ asked what percentage of their property" 5