by Dennis Dalman
At the last city-council meeting, Sartell received some good news about its regional half-cent sales-tax revenue.
Sartell Finance Director Rob Voshell said St. Cloud has computed the percentage amounts of sales tax each of the surrounding cities will receive in 2021. For Sartell, that percentage is 14 percent compared to a 13.52 percent increase in 2020. That means, said Voshell, that Sartell will get about an extra $50,000 this year.
Of the six cities, it was the second highest percentage raise.
During the past 20 or so years, six cities had voted to become part of the half-cent regional sales tax as a means to help fund some projects. The cities are Sartell, St. Joseph, St. Cloud, St. Augusta, Waite Park and Sauk Rapids. Residents and visitors to those cities pay an extra half-cent on the sales tax on sales and services. Then that revenue is totaled and divided up among the five cities based on population and other criteria.
The revenue can be used for certain projects (parks, recreational amenities, etc.) as long as the amenities can be considered of regional significance – that is, capable of being used by any resident in the greater St. Cloud area.
Throughout the years, Sartell has used some of the revenue to help make possible park improvements, a hockey arena, a recent sports complex and other amenities.
