Park and Rec: Resident vs. Non-Resident fees
Town Talk
Editor’s Note: The City of New Ulm presents a weekly column highlighting activities in different departments in the city government. Once a month the city will answer questions from readers. Questions on New Ulm city issues can be sent to comments@ci.new-ulm.mn.us.
Do you live outside of the New Ulm city limits and end up paying more for City of New Ulm Park and Recreation Program offerings, memberships and facility rentals? Certainly this is frustrating; after all, you pay taxes too, right? We decided to tackle this difficult question and educate the public as to why the price difference for residents versus non-residents.
A resident is an individual who lives within the city limits of New Ulm. A non-resident is an individual who lives outside of the city limits of New Ulm, and it doesn’t matter if it’s a step outside the city limits or the next neighboring community. Simply having a “New Ulm” address does not make one a resident; the corporate city limits is what dictates whether or not an individual is a resident.
The city’s budget is derived from various revenue sources; Local Government Aid, PUC in Lieu of Taxes, Transfers, Service Fees, Special Assessments and others, but the largest revenue source is city property taxes. Approximately 20 percent of the city’s expenditures are spent on Culture and Recreation. Out of that 20 percent, roughly 82 percent is spent on Park and Rec, while the remaining 18 percent is allocated to Library Services. Park and Rec fees collected from users do not cover the total cost of service provided or the true cost of operating the facility or park; in fact, it doesn’t even come close. The Park and Recreation Facilities, Parks and programs are highly subsidized by the City of New Ulm property taxes, paid by those residing in the city limits. Those living outside of the city limits in the townships, pay property taxes for their respective township expenses, not city expenses, which is why it makes sense to give residents a reduction of their fees for program or facility rentals.
The City of New Ulm’s Park and Recreation Department has three main indoor recreational facilities. The Recreation Center houses Vogel Fieldhouse, indoor swimming pool, racquetball courts, fitness areas and meeting space. The Civic Center houses the two ice arenas, dry floor space and meeting room. The Community Center houses the Senior Citizens Center, banquet, meeting and classroom space. This space also houses the full service kitchen where meals are prepared for senior citizens and those unable to leave their homes or prepare meals for themselves (Meals on Wheels program).
The city has over 40 park units that are managed and maintained by the City’s Park and Recreation Department. In addition, the Department provides structured recreational programs for the total population; infant through senior citizen ages. We try to offer these facilities, services and programs at a reasonable cost for everyone. We hope you can understand that we are trying to be fair to all users based upon property taxes paid and the fees charged for use of our many recreational facilities.
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