Preservation of Water Quality, Wildlife Habitat, and Natural Areas
Washington County · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
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? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. This proposal would cost approximately $24.60 per year for twenty years on a residential homestead with the median estimated market value of $420,900.
In plain language
A VoterDecoder summary of the official measure text.
County Question 1 asks Washington County voters whether the county may issue general obligation bonds, which are loans the county repays with interest from property taxes, of up to $40,000,000. The money would buy and improve land under the Washington County Land and Water Legacy Program. The question lists the goals: water quality, drinking water sources, wetlands and woods, land along lakes and rivers, natural areas, parks and wildlife habitat. It says the money can be used only for these goals. All project spending must be made public, and there must be a yearly public audit. A YES vote authorizes the bonds. A NO vote means the county is not authorized to issue them. The ballot notes that a YES vote is a vote for a property tax increase.
Fiscal impact
Bonds of up to $40,000,000. The ballot estimates the cost at about $24.60 per year for twenty years on a home with the median estimated market value of $420,900.
Official ballot arguments
Minnesota ballot questions don't come with official arguments for or against.
What supporters and opponents say — outside sources (not official ballot arguments)
Statements by campaigns, officials and news coverage, quoted with attribution and linked to the original. VoterDecoder did not write them and does not endorse either side.
Supporters say
No public statements in favor were found.
Opponents say
No public statements against were found.