5.0. SR 08-23-1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. the value of their property; only fifteen percent saw no 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. - 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 be a nuisance, 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 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. e 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 Elk River property taxes as "about average" in comparison with other communities; only nine percent felt they were "excessively high." When asked what percentage of their property 5