EGF renews discussion on sales tax

The clock is ticking for East Grand Forks to decide whether to make another “ask” of lawmakers during the upcoming Minnesota session for permission to float a sales tax before voters to upgrade recreational facilities.

In 2022 the city approved a 1.25% increase to generate $21.5 million dollars in project funding only to have the issue stalled due to a lack of legislative action. The deadline to submit a new request to St. Paul is January 31st.

Parks Superintendent Reid Huttunen says inflationary costs and higher interest rates will eat into the amount of money generated.  “The first step in the project is getting a request o St. Paul.”

Council member Brian Larson says he’s not sold on a tax exceeding 1%.  “Should we expect the vote would pass at that percentage?  If we set ourselves up for failure by asking too high…that’s shame on us.”

Mayor Steve Gander says he’s not a fan of extending the life of the tax beyond 20 years.
No decisions were made at last night’s (Tuesday) work session.

Picture:  EGF staff rendering Civic Center lobby