HomeMy WebLinkAbout[09a] Sales Tax Committee+GLTY nF KT. J[l6M PH
MEETING DATE: February 21, 2008
Council Agenda Item 9 8
AGENDA ITEM: Mayors Report --Sales Tax Committee
SUBMITTED BY: Mayor Rassier/Administration
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: The City of St. Joseph participates in the regional % cent sales tax and
has begun collecting the fee since January 1, 2007.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The ballot question to approve the additional % sales tax authorized
three categories:
1. Regional Transportation
2. Regional Parks and Trails
3. Regional Community Facilities
The ballot question has been attached as FYI. Residents were not asked to prioritize the items, nor were
they required to vote for all categories. The City is looking at establishing an advisory committee to the
Council to administer the sales-tax fund.
An advertisement was placed in the last newsletter and the following individuals have expressed
interest: Cory Ehlert, Mike McDonald, Bruce Berghorst (Park Board Chair). The Chamber of Commerce
will be submitting a member to be part of-the committee orrTuesday, February 19.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT:
ATTACHMENTS:
Ballot question
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Appoint Cory Ehlert, Mike McDonald, Bruce Berghorst and a member
of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce to the Sales Tax Advisory Committee.
CITY QUESTION BALLOT
CITY DF ST. JOSEPH
NOVEMBER 2, 2U04
The cities of Sauk Rapids, St. Augusta, St. Cloud, and Sartell are currently receiving a portion of %2 cent
sales and use tax. This tax will end in 2005. The area cities would like the opportunity to continue this tax
for another 17 years. Each year that the '/z cent sales and use tax is collected; the first $900,000 will go to
fund the construction of a new Great River Regional library in St. Cloud. The rest of the sales and use tax
will be returned to the cities to be used on other projects. The Legislature has not yet approved this '/z cent
sales and use tax. How you vote will determine what the Legislature is asked to do. The 'h cent sales and
use tax must be approved by the citizens of St. Joseph at this election in order for the City to receive any of
the '/z cent sales and use tax money for other City projects.
To vote for a question, put an (X) in the square next to the word "YES" for that question. To vote
against a question, put an (X) in the square next to the word "NO" for that question.
A vote to approve the %z cent sales and use tax in St Joseph by voting yes to any of the questions
below is also a vote for the funding the Great River Regional Library. Based on a Joint Powers
Agreement with the Cities of St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, Sartell, Waite Park, St. Augusta and St.
Joseph, and based on current projections, the City of St. Joseph will receive over $ 2.00 for every
dollar collected in St. Joseph.
Shall the City of St. Joseph be authorized to impose a '/: cent sales tax for a period of 17 years and
use the excess for the following projects:
CITY QUESTION #1: REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS.
YES ^ NO ^ I approve the use of the '/2 cent sales and use tax to pay all or part of the costs of
regional transportation projects (such as Field Street and the northern by-pass) in
the City of St. Joseph for a cost not to exceed 15 Million.
CITY QUESTION #2: REGIONAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
YES ^ NO ^ I approve the use of the 'h cent sales and use tax to pay all or part of the costs of
regional community facilities (such as branch library and community center) in
St. Joseph for a cost not to exceed 5 Million.
CITY QUESTION #3: REGIONAL PARKS AND TRAIL SYSTEMS.
YES ^ NO ^ I approve the use of the 'h cent sales and use tax to pay ali or part of the costs of
improvements in regional parks and trail systems (such as adding bathroom facilities to all parks, water
amenities, expanded shelters, development of the Sauk River Park) for a cost not to exceed 3 Million.