by TaLeiza Calloway
news@thenewsleaders.com
The St. Joseph City Council voted 4-1 to move forward with hiring a lobbyist to assist area cities, despite a lack of support from all neighboring communities.
At a Feb. 2 meeting, city officials agreed the cost to hire a lobbyist should not exceed $10,000 and that St. Joseph’s participation is contingent upon all six cities expressing support. The city of St. Cloud did not support a joint resolution for the hire, St. Joseph Administrator Judy Weyrens said.
St. Joseph City Council member Bob Loso voted against the decision to move forward Feb. 16, again citing concerns about where the funding would come from for the effort.
Specifically, the lobbyist will work to help area communities, including St. Joseph, pass an extension of the local-option sales tax that will expire in 2018.
The proposed lobbyist will work on behalf of the cities of St. Joseph, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, Waite Park and St. Augusta.