Sales tax proposals in Bloomington, Edina, Golden Valley approved; Mounds View tax rejected

Voters in Bloomington, Edina and Golden Valley approved new or extended city sales taxes on Tuesday, while Mounds View voters rejected a sales tax proposal in their city.

New sales taxes could take effect as early as April 2024.

In Bloomington, voters approved three separate questions that would implement a 0.5% sales tax for the next 20 years to raise $155 million for three major projects.

The largest piece will fund a new, $100 million public health building and community center. Constructed on the site of the Creekside Community Center, the building would include a pool and fitness center.

Voters approved using a sales tax to fund renovations at the Bloomington Ice Garden, including new ice and refrigeration systems, major roof repairs, and a reconfiguration of one of the ice rinks. Work was estimated to cost $37.3 million.

The sales tax will also fund $20 million in upgrades to the Nine Mile Creek park system, including work to stabilize the creek bed against erosion and a new picnic shelter and playground.

Voters in Edina passed the extension of the city's existing 0.5% sales tax to fund $31.7 million in improvements at Braemar Arena, including a lobby renovation, parking expansion and a fifth sheet of ice.

The measure would not change the sales tax amount, but would extend its likely lifespan.

Voters in Golden Valley approved a 1.25% sales tax for the next 20 years, which would raise $105 million for a new police and fire headquarters, and a new public works building.

"This is so important for the vitality and future of our community," said Mayor Shep Harris on Tuesday night.

Harris, who did not seek reelection, said the police, fire and public works departments have been trying to deliver 21st-century services from 20th-century facilities, and hoped the sales tax would spread out the burden of updating those buildings.

"We're able to have everybody who not just lives, but works in and visits Golden Valley to share in the responsibility to have 21st-century facilities," Harris said.

In Mounds View, voters rejected a 1.5% sales tax that would have funded $16.5 million in upgrades to the city's community center. Improvements would have included a walking track, expanded fitness center, and additional sports courts.

Local residents and elected officials questioned the study used to estimate how much revenue the tax will raise, and how much it will cost the typical Mounds View resident.