HomeMy WebLinkAbout[07c] Lobbyist, Sales Tax CITY OF ST. JOSEPH Council Agenda Item 7(d)
MEETING DATE: February 16, 2012
AGENDA ITEM: Sales Tax Lobbyist
SUBMITTED BY: Administration
BOARD /COMMISSION /COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: The City Council approved the hiring of a lobbyist with a contract price not to
exceed $ 10,000 and the six area cities all participate.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Since our last meeting all the Cities with the exception of St. Cloud approved
the hiring a lobbyist, Flaherty and Hood. In addition, the Coalition of Greater MN Cities sponsored a lobby day at
the Capital on February 8, 2012. Waite Park, Sauk Rapids and Sartell participated in discussion regarding the
potential for extending the authority. They were strongly encouraged by the local representatives to hire a
lobbyist as they did not have time to go around and get the needed support. In fact one of the local legislators
representing St. Cloud was not as supportive of the project and requested additional information detailing the
need for the tax. In addition Gary Carlson of the League of MN Cities has strongly recommended the Cities hire a
lobbyist.
Since the last action of the Council required participation by all six Cities, the Council is being asked to participate
with the five area Cities. From the feedback received from the Capital and those involved, it is Tess than likely that
we will be successful without assistance. This is a cooperative effort and it is unfortunate that St. Cloud is not a
partner in this venture.
BUDGET /FISCAL IMPACT: $ 2,000 (originally thought to be $ 1666.66)
ATTACHMENTS:
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Participate in the lobbying cost for the extension of the 12 cent sales tax,
contributing $ 2,000.