Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Olmsted County Board is considering a new sales tax to help fund a 25 year Road and Bridge Capital Improvement Plan.

The commissioners voted Tuesday to schedule a public hearing on March 21st to gather input from citizens on a proposal to collect up to a half-cent sales tax on retail sales and uses under a state law passed in 2008 that allows counties outside the Twin Cities area to impose a transportation sales tax to address transportation infrastructure needs. There are currently about two dozen counties in Minnesota collecting the tax.

County Chief Finance Officer Robert Bendzick says it’s estimated the proposed tax would generate about $6 million a year. If it is approved by the commissioners, the county would began collecting the tax on July 1st.

Three years ago, Olmsted County began collecting a new $10 per vehicle wheelage fee and a quarter-cent sales tax under the Destination Medical Center legislation to help pay for transportation and transit improvements needed for the DMC initiative.

 

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