Vadnais Heights council adopts Parks Master Plan update to enable possible sales-tax funding for park improvements

The Vadnais Heights City Council voted unanimously Jan. 6 to adopt an update to the city’s Parks Master Plan that would allow the city to pursue a local option sales tax question to fund improvements at Kohler Meadows and Community Park.

Assistant City Administrator Kaylin Clement told the council the plan was the product of an 18‑month process and the amendment is intended to create a regional interest in the two parks so a local option sales tax measure could be presented to voters. “The plan is being amended to create a regional interest in Kohler Meadows and Community Park so it would be available for a local option sales tax question to be presented to voters,” Clement said.

Councilmember Erik Goebel moved to approve the update, and Councilmember Katherine Doll Kanne seconded the motion. The council approved the plan on a 5–0 vote.

The update does not itself enact any taxing authority; it amends the Parks Master Plan to signal the city’s intent and to qualify the projects for consideration if a local option sales tax question is pursued. The council did not set a timeline or place a tax question on the ballot during the meeting.

City Administrator Kevin Watson noted that the next workshop will include a presentation on a new fire station, but the council did not discuss funding timelines for the park improvements at the Jan. 6 meeting. The action adopted Jan. 6 was limited to the plan amendment and related resolution approving the update.