HF3834

Purpose

This bill adds a new option for certain school districts to raise funds specifically for the ongoing operation of a swimming pool. It changes the rules to allow eligible districts to levy (tax) for the pool’s net operating costs, within a defined annual cap.

Key Provisions

• Establishes a SWIMMING POOL LEVY under Minnesota Statutes section 126C.455.
• Eligible districts are those that:
  • have their home office in a county with population density of ten or fewer persons per square mile (based on the 2000 census),
  • are located along an international border, and
  • have more than one school district within their boundaries.
• The levy may be used to fund the net operational costs of a swimming pool, and may not exceed the pool’s net actual costs for the previous year.
• Net actual costs are defined as operating costs minus operating revenues minus any payments from other local governmental units.

Eligibility Criteria (summary)

• County population density ≤ 10 people per square mile (per the 2000 census).
• The district lies on an international border.
• The district’s boundaries contain more than one school district.
• The district may annually levy for the net operational costs of its swimming pool, subject to the cap.

Financial Limits and Definitions

• Net actual costs = operating costs − operating revenues − payments from other local governmental units.
• Levy cannot exceed the net actual costs of the swimming pool for the previous year.

Effect on Existing Law

• Adds a new swimming pool levy to the existing statute, creating a specific funding mechanism for pool operation in eligible districts.
• Clarifies how the levy is calculated and capped, tying it to prior year costs and revenues.

Practical Impact

• Eligible school districts can raise funds locally to cover the pool’s operating costs, but only up to the amount of the pool’s net actual costs from the previous year.
• Provides a targeted funding option for pool operation in rural or border districts that meet the eligibility criteria.

Relevant Terms - swimming pool levy - net actual costs - operating costs - operating revenues - payments from other local governmental units - school district - home office - county population density - international border - Minnesota Statutes 126C.455 - levy eligibility - net operational costs of a swimming pool