Vikings letter: Forgo stadium vote

Posted at 5:10 PM on October 11, 2011 by Tim Nelson
Filed under: Vikings stadium

The Vikings say they're deferring to Ramsey County residents regarding testimony to the Charter Commission Tuesday night. But the team tells the17-member commission in a letter that putting the stadium before voters will delay construction until 2013 and will cost an additional $110 million. The letter, signed by Vikings vice president Lester Bagley, goes on to say, "Neither the taxpayers nor the team can afford such a major delay caused by adding this referendum provision."

Here's what Vikings spokesman Jeff Anderson said the team is sending to the charter commission:

Vikings letter to Ramsey County Charter Commission

The Charter Commission has said it could vote tonight on whether to ask voters if the county's home-rule charter should be amended to require a referendum on any major league sports funding.

That would put the matter on the ballot in November 2012, and could set up a second vote to actually approve a stadium tax. Ramsey County elections manager Joe Mansky says the two votes could theoretically be put on the same ballot.

But opponents say the mere promise of a vote could make the whole matter moot.

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