Title
Opposing the imposition of a ½ cent sales tax in Ramsey County for the construction of a Vikings Stadium in Arden Hills.
Body
Amended 7/6/11
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council recognizes the social and economic value of the Minnesota Vikings Football Team to the State of Minnesota; and,
WHEREAS, to preserve the Minnesota Vikings as a valuable State amenity, the Saint Paul City Council understands the desire to find a solution to the Vikings' stated interest in developing a new stadium; and,
WHEREAS, a proposal has been put forth by the Minnesota Vikings and the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners to construct a new stadium in Arden Hills on the site of the former Twin Cities Army Ammunitions Plant (TCAAP); and,
WHEREAS, to finance the construction of this facility, the Ramsey County Board has proposed the imposition of a ½ cent sales tax collected in Ramsey County in an amount sufficient to generate $350 million; and,
WHEREAS, according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, of the County's 12,000 taxable businesses, 52% are in the City of Saint Paul and 47% of the County's taxable sales come from Saint Paul businesses; and,
WHEREAS, the city's portion of this $350 million ($165 million) contribution in sales tax would be akin to raising the city's current property tax levy by 173% approximately 17%, an amount the city would never consider imposing to pay for our basic services; and,
WHEREAS, at a time when the city is facing significant cuts to essential services due to proposed reductions in Local Government Aid (LGA), the City Council asserts that our number one policy priority is the funding of basic municipal functions including police, fire, parks, library services and public works which should be provided at a reasonable cost to all taxpayers; and,
WHEREAS, it is unfair and inequitable for the residents and businesses of Saint Paul to be asked to bear a disproportionate financial burden for the construction of a State and regional amenity, particularly when the benefit to Saint Paul taxpayers is tangential at best;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council opposes the imposition of a ½ cent sales tax in Ramsey County to support the construction of a Vikings stadium in Arden Hills; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council encourages the Governor, the Legislature, the Ramsey County Board, the Minnesota Vikings and other interested parties to consider options for constructing a stadium that minimize risk to the taxpayers, limit the level of public subsidy (particularly for the host community), and promote a fair, multi-jurisdictional participation for a State-wide amenity.