City Council Meeting Date: January 20, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Brenda Angelstad, Finance Director
David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Natalie Draper, Library Director
Title
Consider Resolution Supporting the Authority to Impose a Local Sales Tax to Fund Specific Capital Improvements Providing Regional Benefit, to Establish the Duration of the Tax and the Revenue to be Raised by the Tax, and to Authorize the City to Issue Bonds Supported by the Sales Tax Revenue.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the attached Resolution Supporting the Authority to Impose a Local Sales Tax to Fund Specific Capital Improvements Providing Regional Benefit, to Establish the Duration of the Tax and the Revenue to be Raised by the Tax, and to Authorize the City to Issue Bonds Supported by the Sales Tax Revenue.
Summary Report:
The City Council has expressed interest in exploring alternative revenue sources in conjunction with the current Strategic Plan. One alternative revenue source that may be used for certain capital projects is local sales tax. The State of Minnesota allows for local governments specifically request to implement up to a .5% sales and use tax for items for capital building projects Detailed description of up to five capital projects to be funded with the tax. A capital project includes:
- A single building or structure, including associated infrastructure needed to safely access or use the building or structure;
- Improvements within a single park or named recreation area;
- A contiguous trail.
A 0.5% local sales tax would generate approximately $18.5 million over 20 years, 40% of which would be paid by individuals visiting Northfield, alleviating $4.5 million of capital costs from local taxpayers. That revenue would support funding of $11.4 million net for projects assuming debt would be used for the projects. The revenue would cover both annual principal and ...
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