half-cent sales tax

About two dozen Minnesota cities and counties -- including the St. Cloud metro area -- would see a gusher of unexpected money if Gov. Mark Dayton's proposed sales tax expansion to more items and services prevails.

The Sauk Rapids city council has approved the hiring of a lobbyist at the Minnesota State Legislature. The city is looking to join forces with the other area metro cities to hire a lobbying firm to help extend the half-cent sales tax, which is set to expire in 2018

Sartell will take up the issue of a Community Resource Facility at its council meeting Monday. City Administrator Patti Gartland says they must assess what their needs are, what spaces they currently have available, potential sites and any potential partners.

Charter Cable and the Regional Sales tax will be discussed at a Joint Cities Meeting tomorrow (Tuesday). Tuesday's meeting is at 6:00 p.m. at the Waite Park City Hall.

St. Cloud's half cent sales tax collections are down by an estimated $150-thousand after WalMart and Sam's Club moved to Sartell last fall. Sartell is estimated to gain an average of $125-thousand.

Walkers and bikers will one day be able to use the Beaver Island Trail to get to the River Bluffs Regional Park in south St. Cloud. City Council members approved the alignment and right-of-way acquisition last night. The move means the city will extend the trail from where it currently ends at 33rd Street South to park's entrance at 38th Street South.

A ceremony tomorrow (Tuesday) will put the finishing touches on a Lake George project that has been in the works since 2007. Planners, donors and other dignitaries will get an up close look at the Eastman Park project around Lake George.