The Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce strongly SUPPORTS the City of Fergus Falls projects of an Aquatics Center and Delagoon Park Improvements funded by a dedicated half of one percent (.5%) Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). We encourage Fergus Falls residents to VOTE YES for the Aquatics Center and Delagoon Park Improvements on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
The Chamber serves as the lead advocate and resource for our members and the Chamber creates partnerships that foster a healthy business climate. As a representative of the business community (our members), we surveyed our members, who support both projects by a supermajority.
The Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce does not support increasing the added cost of doing business solely burdened by our members through regulations or mandates and the LOST funding mechanism avoids those direct costs to our members while also supporting projects that have economic growth potential to them. We strongly encourage the City of Fergus Falls to select local contractors, purchase supplies locally and continue to place a high value on local businesses who support the City’s tax base.
Through the LOST funding mechanism, construction costs will be funded through purchases from residents, visitors and others who shop in Fergus Falls. The proposed LOST, if approved by voters, has previously been approved by the state legislature. The most recent half-cent sales tax funded the Fergus Falls Public Library Renewal and ended September 30, 2022.
Aquatics Center
- NEW Seasonal outdoor facility to include a zero-depth entry play area, lap pool, bathhouse, and concessions area
- Located in Roosevelt Park, keeping the skate park, sledding hill and WPA structures intact
- $10.8 Million
Delagoon Park
A popular regional destination for camping, disc golf, baseball, softball, soccer, and BMX racing, Delagoon Park has not undergone a significant improvement project in many years.
- Campground upgrades, including utility hookups, toilets/showers, dump station, and ability for online reservations.
- Restroom and concession facilities for soccer and softball users
- Restroom and lighting upgrades for baseball and softball users
- $5.2 Million
At our October 25, 2022 board meeting, the Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to SUPPORT funding the Aquatics Center and Delagoon Park Improvement Projects through LOST and encourage the residents of the City of Fergus Falls to VOTE YES on November 8, 2022 on these ballot questions:
Shall the City of Fergus Falls impose a sales and use tax of one-half of one percent (0.50%) until December 31, 2037, or until $10,800,000, plus an amount equal to interest and the costs of issuance of any bonds, is collected to finance an aquatics center in Roosevelt Park? The total sales and use tax approved by voters at this election to finance this project and any other project will not exceed one-half of one percent (0.50%).
Shall the City of Fergus Falls impose a sales and use tax of one-half of one percent (0.50%) until December 31, 2037, or until $5,200,000, plus an amount equal to interest and the costs of issuance of any bonds, is collected to finance the Delagoon Park Improvement Project? The total sales and use tax approved by voters at this election to finance this project and any other project will not exceed one-half of one percent (0.50%).
Thank you,
Lisa Workman
President
Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
2022-23 Board of Directors
- Megan Beckler, Chair
- Melissa Davis, Chair Elect
- Nate Kunde, Vice Chair
- Jeff Ackerson, Past Chair
- Ben Brimhall
- Kathryn Enderson
- Lucas Gervais
- Dustin Morris
- Dave Neese
- Ryan Tungseth
- Tara Wagner