HomeMy WebLinkAbout[10a] Sales Tax Ballot Question
10(a)
Council Agenda Item
MEETING DATE:
August 7, 2014
AGENDA ITEM:
Administrator Reports
a) Sales Tax – Ballot Question
SUBMITTED BY:
Administration
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
:
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
: The City Council conducted two public open houses to solicit input
on proposed uses for sales tax funds.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
: The legislature has authorized the extension of the existing
additional ½ cent sales tax for an additional 20 years, running through 2038. Each City must place the
matter on the ballot. The ballot question is similar to that being used by the area cities. It is more general
as this is a 20 year tax that does not start until 2018. The questions reflect the input received at the open
houses. The ballot question has been reviewed by the bond attorney (Briggs and Morgan – Waite Park,
Sartell and St. Joseph are sharing the cost) and we have a final phone conference tomorrow.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT
: Potential revenue of 11M over a 20 year period
ATTACHMENTS:
Request for Council Action
Ballot Question
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION:
The ballot question must be submitted to the Auditor no later
than August 13, 2014 – approval is requested.
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EXTENSION OF ONE-HALF PERCENT SALES AND USE TAX
The residents of St. Joseph, Sartell, St. Augusta, St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids and Waite Park currently
collect a ½ percent sales and use tax which will expire on December 31, 2018. The State
Legislature has authorized the extension of the existing ½ percent sales and use tax for the
aforementioned cities through 2038, subject to voter approval in each city.
If St. Joseph voters approve an extension, the first $ 900,000 collected annually will be used to
fund the regional projects identified below with the remaining annual sales tax funds distributed
to the area cities pursuant to a Joint Powers Agreement. Based on the Joint Powers Agreement
with the Cities of St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, Sartell, Waite Park, St. Augusta and St. Joseph, St.
Joseph will receive approximately $ 1.42 for every dollar collected in St. Joseph.
To vote, complete the oval to the LEFT of your choice, like this ( ). Voters desiring to vote in favor
of the question should complete the oval opposite the word “YES” next to the question. Voters
desiring to vote against the question should complete the oval opposite the word “NO” next to
the question.
Shall the City of St. Joseph be authorized to continue the collection of a ½ cent sales and use
tax through the year 2038 to pay for all or part or all of the following regional projects (or debt
service on bonds issued therefor)?
JOINTLY FUNDED REGIONAL PROJECTS
Regional Trails – Interconnection of trail system, not to exceed $ 500,000 annually; Regional
community aquatics center, not to exceed $ 200,000 annually; Regional Airport, not to exceed
$ 200,000 annually.
– The development, acquisition, and improvement of:
ST. JOSEPH PROJECTS
and related infrastructure in an amount not
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
to exceed 10 Million. Examples can include, but are not limited to: streets, roads, related
infrastructure, green initiatives and mass transit projects
in an amount not to exceed 8 Million. Examples can
REGIONAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES
include, but are not limited to: community center, senior center, historical center,
government buildings, branch library, technology and/or fiber and green Initiatives.
and related facilities in an amount not to exceed
REGIONAL PARKS, TRAILS, OPEN SPACE
4 Million. Examples can include, but are not limited to: adding bathroom facilities, water
amenities, expanding shelters, green initiatives and development of Sauk River Park.
Yes
No
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