by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
In recent months, during the controversy about the Sartell Community Center and a city library, many residents have referred to the ballot question that authorized an extension of the regional half-cent sales tax.
In the Nov, 4, 2014 election, Sartell voters passed the sales-tax referendum 4,206 to 1,178. Funds from the tax will pay for the $11-million center, as well as other city projects, mainly roadways.
Many had disagreements about what the ballot question stated. The following, word for word, is what the ballot question stated:
Extension of one-half percent sales tax
Explanation: The residents of Sartell, St. Joseph, St. Augusta, Sauk Rapids and Waite Park currently collect a half-percent sales-and-use tax which will expire on Dec. 31, 2018. The State Legislature has authorized the extension of the existing half-percent sales-and-use tax for the aforementioned cities through 2038, subject to voter approval in each city.
If Sartell voters approve an extension, the first $900,000 collected annually will be used to fund the jointly funded regional projects identified below with the remaining annual sales-tax funds distributed in the area cities pursuant to a Joint Powers Agreement. The area cities can use the remaining sales-and-use tax dollars for other projects in their individual cities.
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 $20,000 annually.
Sartell regional projects:
Acquisition and Improvement of Regional Park Land and Open Space, Community and Aquatics Center Facilities: All or part of the cost for acquisition of, betterment of, development of, and improvements to regional park land and open space which could include trails, recreational fields, pools, shelters and similar facilities and for the cost for acquisition, betterment, construction and development of community center facilities which could include gymnasium space, aquatics/pool facilities, library/media resource facilities, community meeting rooms, senior center activity space and similar facilities, in an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the tax revenues received by the City of Sartell.
Regional Transportation Improvements: All or part of the cost of acquisition, betterment and construction of new and reconstruction of existing regional roadways and related infrastructure which could include Pinecone Road, 50th Avenue South, 27th Street North, LeSauk Drive and other regionally significant roadway corridors, in an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the tax revenue received by the City of Sartell.
Shall the City of Sartell be authorized to continue the collection of a half-cent sales-and-use tax through the year 2038 to pay for all or part of the above listed regional projects?
Yes.
No.