For the better part of this past year, I have listen to complaints about the golf course and how it is a money pit for the city of Becker. I have worked in Becker for the last 18 years and lived here for just over a year.

 

The idea that the golf course is the worst fiscal issue facing Becker is 100% false. All you have to do is look at where your property tax dollars go. For the fiscal year, I am paying $1,927 in property taxes. Of the $1,927-$758 went to Sherburne County, $602 went to the school district and $567 went to the City of Becker.  Looking at how the $567 is allocated, just $8.19 went to the golf course while $51 went to the Community Center and $30.12 went to Parks and Recreation. We do not hear anyone saying that we should sell the Community Center or our parks. If the course is the biggest fiscal issue facing Becker, then why is the percent of my property tax going to the golf course six times less than the Community Center and just under four times less than parks and recreation?  

 

I do not use the Community Center. However, I am not going to tell the City Council to sell it as I feel it is a great asset to our community as are the parks and recreation facilities we have in Becker for all of its residents, especially the kids. 

 

If less than a half percent of property tax dollars is too much to spend on the golf course, then Becker’s residents and our elected officials should be more concerned about getting rid of all of the parks and recreational facilities and the Community Center as more of the property tax dollars collected go to those areas compared to the golf course.

 

Becker needs to keep all of its amenities, as they are a part of what makes Becker a great place to live.