By Ken Francis, Staff Writer 

 

Sherburne County will begin collecting a local option 1/2% sales tax for transportation projects beginning in January.

    After a brief public hearing Tuesday without public comment, the board of commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the tax, which is expected to bring in about $3.26 million a year, with 70% ($2.34 million) paid by county residents and 30% ($0.924 million) coming from non-county residents spending money in Sherburne County.

The tax can only be collected on items already being taxed by the state.

As part of the sales tax process, the county is required to establish a sunset date and list which projects the tax will pay for. The board approved a 20-year term for the tax to help cover projects on the long-term transportation program.

Public Works Director Andrew Witter provided a long list of projects from 2023 through 2040 with a total cost of $219,133,085. Of that total, $107.9 million is for pavement preservation; $5.9 million for freight improvements; $83.4 million for road capacity improvements; $136.7 million for new road connections; $10.3 million for intersection control; $7.3 million in safety improvements; $40.5 million in transfer of roads; $10 million for bridge replacements; $7.4 million for trails and $62.6 million for pedestrian safety projects.

Witter said the tax will generate about $1.8 million a year for high priority projets.

The tax can also be used to cover costs for the NorthStar Commuter Rail. Witter’s list estimated a cost of $42 million from 2019 - 2038 for capital, maintenance and operations for the commuter rail.

“It will generate about $3.2 million a year and then continue to grow as we continue to develop,” said Witter.    

Commissioner Felix Schmiesing said although they approved the tax, it was not the intent to encumber future county commissioners.

“This can be revisited,” he said. “A future board can go ahead and undo this if they feel this is not in the best interest of the citizens of Sherburne County.”