Vote YES to Protect Our Drinking Water.
County Question 1 protects Washington County's drinking water sources, improves the water quality of our rivers, lakes and streams, and protects wildlife habitat and natural areas.
Nothing Is More Important Than Clean Water to Drink.
An adequate supply of clean drinking water is fundamental to all life. County Question 1 protects our drinking water sources and helps stabilize Washington County's water supply.
- Protect drinking water sources and stabilize the water supply
- Improve the water quality of rivers, lakes and streams
- Protect the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers
Clean Water. Vote Yes.View of the St. Croix River from Pine Needles, Marine on St. Croix, MN. Protected through a conservation easement under the program.
Natural Areas. Vote Yes.St. Croix Watershed Research Station, May Township, MNProtect Our Wildlife Habitat, Natural Areas, and Woodlands.
By protecting our water quality, our natural lands, the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers and wildlife habitat, we preserve Washington County's natural beauty and quality of life for future generations.
- Protect wildlife habitat
- Protect the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers
- Preserve our natural beauty for future generations
Preserve Our Natural Beauty for Future Generations.New City Park, Afton, MN
Protect Our Last Remaining Natural Areas Before They Are Lost to Development Forever.
Washington County is the fifth most populous county in Minnesota. This proposal preserves our quality of life by protecting the natural areas we have left, along our rivers, lakes and streams.
New City Park, Afton, MNIn 2006, Voters Overwhelmingly Approved the Washington County Land and Water Legacy Program. It Worked.
County Question 1 renews a bond referendum that Washington County voters overwhelmingly approved in 2006. The money from that vote is now fully committed, so there is no funding left to protect more land and water.
Over the last 20 years, the Land and Water Legacy Program has conserved over 2,000 acres across 53 projects. Reauthorizing it would expand our parks and protect natural areas for residents to enjoy.
All Spending in Public View.
The ballot language requires it. These are part of the question you will see in the voting booth.
Full Public Disclosure
There will be full public disclosure of all project spending.
Only for Stated Purposes
Funds can only be used for the purposes stated in the referendum and cannot be used for any other purpose whatsoever.
An Annual Public Audit
There will be an annual public audit of all project spending.
What County Question 1 Does
- Authorizes up to $40 million in county bondsTo acquire and improve land under the Washington County Land and Water Legacy Program.
- Limits the money to these purposes onlyDrinking water, rivers, lakes and streams, wetlands and woodlands, land along water, parkland and wildlife habitat. Nothing else.
- Keeps every dollar in public viewFull public disclosure of all project spending, and an annual public audit.
Like any bond, this is repaid through property taxes: approximately $24.60 per year for twenty years on a home at the county’s median estimated market value. The ballot states this plainly.
Washington County, From the Bluffs to the River.
Wildlife habitat, natural areas, woodlands, wetlands and the St. Croix and Mississippi: this is what Question 1 protects.
Learn more about the program on the Washington County website.
Make a Plan. Find Question 1
- Vote early or on Tuesday, November 3Early voting is open now, in person or absentee.
- Turn your ballot overThe ballot has two sides. County Question 1 is in the right-hand column on the front.
- Fill in the oval next to YESThen bring a neighbor with you.
County Question 1
Preservation of Water Quality, Wildlife Habitat, and Natural Areas
To continue to improve the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams, including the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers, protect drinking water sources, preserve wetlands and woodlands, protect land along water bodies from development and preserve natural areas, purchase parklands, and protect wildlife habitat, shall Washington County be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an aggregate amount not to exceed $40,000,000 to acquire and improve land under the Washington County Land and Water Legacy Program with the use of funds limited to these purposes only, full public disclosure of all project spending, and subject to an annual public audit?
County Question 1 as it appears on the ballot.
Add Your Name. Add Your Organization.
Washington County Citizens for Water, Wildlife, and Natural Areas is building a broad coalition of neighbors, businesses and groups. Add your name to the list of supporters and tell your neighbors.
Our Supporters
Thank You.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is County Question 1?
It asks voters to authorize Washington County to issue up to $40 million in general obligation bonds to acquire and improve land under the Washington County Land and Water Legacy Program, renewing the program voters approved in 2006.
What Happened to the 2006 Money?
The funding from the 2006 bond has been fully allocated. Without a new vote, the county has no dedicated funding left to protect more land and water.
Is This a Tax Increase?
Yes. The ballot says so plainly. For a homestead at the median estimated market value of $420,900, it would cost approximately $24.60 per year for twenty years.
My Taxes Are Already High. Why Should I Vote Yes?
That is a fair concern, and the ballot answers it with a specific, stated amount: approximately $24.60 per year for twenty years on a home at the county median value. The money can be used only for protecting drinking water sources, water quality, wildlife habitat and natural areas, not for general spending, and every dollar is publicly reported and audited. Question 1 also renews a program voters approved in 2006 rather than starting something new.
How Do I Know the Money Will Be Spent as Promised?
The ballot language itself requires three safeguards. There will be full public disclosure of all project spending. Funds can only be used for the purposes stated in the referendum and cannot be used for any other purpose whatsoever. And there will be an annual public audit of all project spending. Anyone can check.
Why Should I Trust the County With This Money?
You do not have to take anyone's word for it. The question is written so the public can verify every step: disclosure of all project spending, funds limited to the stated purposes, and a public audit every year. And there is a track record to look at. Over the last 20 years, the Land and Water Legacy Program has conserved over 2,000 acres across 53 projects. Learn more on the county's program page.
Where Will the Money Go?
To improve the water quality of rivers, lakes and streams, including the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers; protect drinking water sources; preserve wetlands and woodlands; protect land along water bodies from development; preserve natural areas; purchase parklands; and protect wildlife habitat.
Where Is It on My Ballot?
It is County Question 1, in the right-hand column on the front of the ballot. Remember to check both sides of your ballot.
What Is the Exact Ballot Language?
"To continue to improve the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams, including the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers, protect drinking water sources, preserve wetlands and woodlands, protect land along water bodies from development and preserve natural areas, purchase parklands, and protect wildlife habitat, shall Washington County be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an aggregate amount not to exceed $40,000,000 to acquire and improve land under the Washington County Land and Water Legacy Program with the use of funds limited to these purposes only, full public disclosure of all project spending, and subject to an annual public audit?"