Based on previously identified CTE needs, a facilities assessment, and community and staff input, the list of projects was created to meet the long-term needs of both students and our building's infrastructure.  Our partners at SitelogIQ were able to help provide budgetary estimates for each project using a national construction database and current industry pricing throughout MN.  Understanding these figures will look differently when completed in 2023 and 2024, an escalation factor was built into each estimate. The bond will not exceed $17.9M as stated in the ballot question. However, each project's expenses will be determined during the design phase, which occurs after a referendum successfully passes. Should the referendum pass, bid documents will be advertised and contractors will have the opportunity to provide a competitive bid on our various proposed projects.

WHEN AND WHERE
Tuesday, August 9, 2022 7:00am - 8:00pm

See polling locations list (ABOVE)
Or use the polling place locator: Voter Information Portal

VOTER REGISTRATION

Make sure you are registered to vote.  Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website to verify or learn more.  You can register or update your registration when you vote, whether that is at your polling place on Election Day or at an early voting location. You will need proof of residence to register.

EARLY IN-PERSON / ABSENTEE VOTING
In Minnesota, you can vote early in-person or with an absentee ballot starting 46 days before Election Day. Ballots will be sent starting June 24 for the August 2022 election.  All ballots must be returned in-person or by mail no later than Election Day, Tuesday, August 9, 2022.

Ways to vote by absentee ballot:

• Request an absentee ballot online
  
  OR
  
  
• Complete an Absentee Ballot Application and mail it to your county election office. (Address listed below)
  
  OR
  
  
• Visit the courthouse and complete a paper application.

  Meeker County Auditor's Office
  325 N Sibley Ave.
  Courthouse, Level 4
  Litchfield, MN 55355 

  Wright County Elections
  3650 Braddock Ave NE
  Suite 1400
  Buffalo, MN 55313
  Wright County residents have the ability to email their paper application to: elections@co.wright.mn.us
  
  

• Absentee ballot materials will be sent to you once the application is received.  Complete the ballot and return by following the received directions.
  
  

• Deadline for return: to be counted your ballot must be received on or before Election Day (August 9, 2022)!
  

• Absentee Voting: Prepare to Vote tips
• Meeker County Residents: www.co.meeker.mn.us/172/Election-Information
• Wright County Residents: www.co.wright.mn.us/181/Absentee-Voting-Mail
  

At least one Saturday option is available for early in-person voting.

Early In-Person Voting: Saturday, August 6th at your County Auditor's Office.

Locations and hours for completing in-person voting at your county office are:
Meeker County
325 N Sibley Ave.
Litchfield, MN
320-693-5212
Monday-Friday: 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday, August 6: 10:00AM - 3:00PM

Wright County
3650 Braddock Ave NE
Buffalo, MN
763-682-7692
Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday: call 763-682-7692 for more information

For additional information or questions, please contact your County Auditor’s office:

Meeker County:  320-693-5212 or meeker.auditor@co.meeker.mn.us  

Wright County:  763-682-7692 or elections@co.wright.mn.us 

Polling locations can be found at:

www.isd466.org/vote

Or use the polling place locator: Voter Information Portal

Our primary goal with this referendum is to ensure community members have all the information they need to make an informed vote. November's elections will have multiple campaigns all trying to inform voters at the same time, meaning the opportunity for information to get overshadowed increases significantly. On August 9th, our hope is that all voters are casting their votes based on the facts and information they have received about this bond.  

No, the rec. center is not included in the bond.

In 2020, Dassel-Cokato Schools was awarded $1,000,000 as part of a bonding bill from the state to be applied towards flooring in the rec center.  Since then, through numerous fundraising efforts and donations, the rec. center has been open to the community since the spring of 2022.  Since opening, the rec. center has supported spring activity practices, a community event and garage sale, numerous community education programs, and summer sports.  This winter the rec. center will be a fully functioning practice facility supporting hockey and other ice activities.

Use your Notice of Valuation and CLICK HERE to determine your tax impact on:

• Residential Homestead Property
• Commercial/Industrial Property

*If you own agricultural or other types of property, please complete the form within the linked website and submit it to Ehlers. Once received, an Ehlers representative will contact your county to find the value and classification of your property, calculate the tax impact and contact you via phone or email with the results. 

The bond supporting the Performing Arts Center, football stadium, east gym, and band room will conclude next Spring, 2023.  The tax impact calculator shows the additional increase to your current taxes as if it were in effect now.

Ex. On a $200,000 house, with the addition of this bond, your monthly taxes would increase by $5.

• In addition to daily water usage (drinking, bathrooms, and kitchens), our current wells are utilized to fill the swimming pool, which is our primary support for fire suppression.  Our well water is also used for making ice in the Rec. Center and sprinkling the MS/HS grounds.  Connection to city water would support increased water volume now and for any future projects.
  
• The City of Cokato's water treatment plant is better equipped to produce safe drinking water.  We currently treat all of the water that is used in the HS/MS school to EPA and MN dept. of Health standards, and it requires expensive equipment, consumables, and manpower.

What is the savings to the district for having city water?

Will the city water supply be enough for the district for future needs?