CITY QUESTION 1 (St. Joseph)
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 1/2 percent sales and use tax which will expire on December 31, 2018. The State Legislature has authorized the extension of the existing 1/2 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 under the section entitled "Jointly Funded Regional Projects". The area cities can use the remaining sales and use tax dollars for other projects in their individual cities pursuant to a Joint Powers Agreement. Based on the Joint Powers Agreement St. Joseph will receive approximately $ 1.42 for every dollar collected in St. Joseph.
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.
ST. JOSEPH REGIONAL PROJECTS - The development, acquisition, and improvement of:
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS and related infrastructure in an amount not to exceed 10 Million of the tax revenue received by the City of St. Joseph. Examples can include, but are not limited to: streets, roads, related infrastructure and mass transit projects.
REGIONAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES in an amount not to exceed 8 Million of the tax revenue received by the City of St. Joseph. Examples can include, but are not limited to: community center, senior center, historical center, and branch library.
REGIONAL PARKS, TRAILS, OPEN SPACE and related facilities in an amount not to exceed 4 Million of the tax revenue received by the City of St. Joseph. Examples can include, but are not limited to: adding bathroom facilities, water amenities, expanding shelters, and development of Sauk River Park.
Shall the City of St. Joseph be authorized to continue the collection of a 1/2 percent sales and use tax through the year 2038 to pay for all or part of the above listed regional projects?
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.
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