HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 [08] Aug 03
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August 3, 2004
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in special session
on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 at 7:00 AM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors Gary Utsch, AI Rassier, Ross Rieke, Dale Wick.
Administrator Judy Weyrens.
Mayor Hosch opened the meeting and stated the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the intent of the,St.
of St. Joseph with regard to participation in the imposition of a one-half cent sales tax. Hosch stated that
he and Weyrens have been meeting the area Cities representatives discussing a strategy for requesting
the legislature to extend the one-half cent sales tax that is already being collected in the Cities of St. I
Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids and St. Augusta. The current additional one-half cent sale tax is scheduled
to expire on December 31, 2005. The Legislature does not have a procedure in place that would allow for
the continuation of the tax. Therefore, the area Cities will be asking the legislature to continue the ;
regional one-half cent sales tax by placing the question on the ballot this fall. The intent is for all the I
Cities to mirror the same ballot question to further illustrate the tax is a regional tax. . I
The City of Sartell will be supporting the efforts of the area Cities, but it is their opinion that they already
have authority to continue implementing the tax, using the same regional projects. Cities intending to I
place the matter on the ballot must resolute such no later than August 2, 2004. The actual ballot question
needs to be certified to the Auditor no later than September 7,2004. '
Weyrens stated that at this time the regional project that will receive the first $ 900,000 is a combination
of the Civic Center and the Great River Regional Library. The City needs to determine first if they wan't to
participate in the process and collect the sales tax and second, what projects will be funded with the I
excess tax. There are two ways the ballot question can be structured and are as follows: I
1. , Specific projects can be listed such as Field Street or Klinefelter Park Bathrooms.
2. General Questions can be drafted such as support for Regional Transportation Projects
and Regional Park Projects. Each can then include as clause that states such as: Field
Street, Northern Bypass.
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Weyrens presented the Council with a proposed Resolution, stating the City of St. Joseph supports the
extension of the one-half cent sales tax and requests legislative approval. Hosch stated that the City of
St. Joseph receives the greatest benefit of the tax. The formula approved by the area Cities provides $t.
Joseph with over a $ 2.00 reimbursement for every dollar collected. Hosch stated it is important for S(.
Joseph to illustrate to the taxpayers the benefit that will be received by approving the tax. I
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Rassier stated the he is supportive of the tax and encourages the City Council to support the resolutioh.
The projects that will be funded with the excess tax will need to be completed regardless of the tax. The
sales tax is a way to pay for the improvements without increasing taxes.
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Rieke stated that he too supports the tax and requested that the wording in the proposed resolution be
changed slightly to replace St. Cloud Library and St. Cloud Civic Center with the Regional Civic Center
and the Great River Regional Library. Rieke agrees that the Council needs to market and support the'
one-half cent sales tax. I
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Utsch and Wick concurred with the comments of Rassier and Rieke. Utsch made a motion adopting
Resolution 2004-25, Supporting the extension of the one-half cent sales tax, and requesting the
matter be placed on the November 2, 2004 ballot in 51. Joseph. The motion was seconded by
Rieke and passed unanimously.
Adiourn: The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 7:55 AM
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