Area Cities Discuss Regional Projects For Future Half-Cent Sales Tax [AUDIO]

ST. AUGUSTA - Future half cent sales tax dollars would be spent on expanding the Lake Wobegon Trail, building a community and aquatics center, and upgrades to the St. Cloud Regional Airport.

During the St. Cloud area joint cities meeting in St. Augusta last (Tuesday) night, representatives from the six cities talked about regional projects for the additional tax.

Sartell Mayor Joe Perske says the half-cent sales tax is projected to raise about $291 million over the next 20 years.  The state requires that six percent of the money collected go toward regional projects.  The rest of the money stays in each individual community for them to use on their own projects.

Perske says he likes the tax because non-local residents are also paying it.

The current half-cent sales tax expires in 2018. The cities are hoping to have an extension of the half-cent sales tax on the ballot this November.

The current tax has used the regional money to build the St. Cloud Public Library, and expand the St. Cloud Regional Airport.  St. Cloud has used it's share of the money to help make major upgrades to the Eastman Park/Lake George area.