To the editor:

We are only eight weeks away from Election Day and there will be many reasons to exercise your right to vote. One great opportunity will be to “vote yes” on an extension of our local city sales tax of of one percent. This is not a new or additional tax, but rather an extension of the sales tax that has been in place over the past 15 years and supported the construction of the Civic Center and expansions of the Community/Senior Center and Recreation Center. A City appointed committee called RENU (Reinvesting in New Ulm) began meeting last fall and over a period of nine months, with outstanding support from community organizations, recommended an extension of the sales tax.

An extension of the sales tax will provide bond funding for many new regionally significant projects that will create value for individuals and organizations across our community and Southern Minnesota. Projects to be funded with a sales tax extension include: 1) improvements to our recreation center pool and the addition of an indoor water park, 2) enhanced wellness and fitness rooms at recreation center, 3) new indoor playground at the recreation center, 4) new gymnastics center at the recreation center, 5) improvements to the Johnson Baseball Park Grandstand to meet ADA requirements and improve the fan experience in this historic park, 6) a winter seasonal dome structure to cover the new ISD 88 soccer/football field during the winter months, 7) improvements to the Hermann Heights Park entrance road and parking lot.

Our RENU committee prioritized these projects based on the following criteria: economic development, diverse community benefit and interest, regional benefit, expand social well-being, community safety, low ongoing subsidization, urgency, and alternate funds not available. We feel confident the recommended projects will assist New Ulm in reaching our potential as we strive to be a regional center for commerce and recreation and a destination community for not only tourists but families, seniors, and employers looking for a new community to call home. Please join us in voting yes on Nov. 8.

Toby Freier, Bob Skillings,

Kathleen Sullivan, Jeff Dittrich, Jenell Worm, Jeff Messenger, Sean Fingland, Kathleen Backer, Mary Ann Baumgart, John Fritsche

RENU Committee Members