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Metropolitan Council accepts parks operation and maintenance allocation; members warn state funding lags statute
Summary
The Council accepted the Metropolitan Parks operation and maintenance allocation for state fiscal 2027, noting the statutory formula in Minn. Stat. § 473.351; several members said state contributions have declined well below the statute's intended share, shifting costs to local property taxpayers.
The Metropolitan Council on July 8 voted to accept the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission's recommended operations and maintenance allocation for state fiscal 2027 as required by Minnesota Statute 473.351.
Council Member Lilligren explained that the statutory allocation formula is 40% prior‑year operation and maintenance expenses, 40% proportionate park visits and 20% proportionate park acreage. He said the Council is allocating $11,740,000 across the 10 implementing agencies for state fiscal 2027, based on $151,944,347 in actual operations and maintenance expenditures in 2025.
Several council members used the discussion to raise policy concerns. Council Member Wolf and others said the state's share of parks funding has fallen well below the amount implied by statute, with one comment placing the current state contribution in the 7–10% range. Council Member Jenkins asked whether implementing agencies are able to keep up with maintenance and what negative outcomes the funding gap may cause; staff were asked to provide data to answer that question.
Council Member Lilligren moved acceptance of the report; the motion carried by voice vote.
Chair framed the issue as a priority for the Council and said staff will provide the requested data. The vote accepted the Commission's report; any longer‑term statutory funding change would require legislative action.
