Lake Park-Audubon voters going to polls over tax hike

Voters in a northwestern Minnesota school district will head to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to raise their property taxes to pay for construction that includes a new high school.

Leaders in the Lake Park-Audubon district say it would be cheaper to build a new high school than to repair the current building that has sections dating back to 1890.

Voters have rejected five construction tax increases in the past five years. Superintendent Dale Hogie said this year's $21 million proposal could take advantage of one-time, no-interest loans from the federal stimulus.

"This is probably the last option I see for Lake Park-Audubon because if voters don't support this, there isn't a viable, affordable option," Hogie said. "If they don't take advantage of this, I really fear for the future of the district."

The vote also includes repairs and some new construction at the district's elementary school, in the town of Audubon.

Approval would raise property taxes in the district by about $150 a year on a $100,000 house.

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