Minneapolis kids likely paying the price for proposed park board cuts

Minneapolis park leaders say youth programs and maintenance could be cut as the city debates how much park funding to include in a property tax increase.

The debate comes as Minneapolis works to close a $60 million budget shortfall. The mayor earlier this week suggested a property tax increase for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board of about 2.5%.

Kedar Deshpande, Minneapolis Park Board commissioner for District 3, said the park board is seeking more.

“What the park board is asking for a bare bones budget ask of 5.68 percent of the levy increase, which amounts to 5 million dollars,” said Deshpande.

Deshpande said a smaller increase could affect youth sports and other services.

“You’re going to see programs cut, so your kids might not be able to get into a sports league that they might want…it’s going to have a lot of serious impacts on residents of the city of ...