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<br /> <br />COUNTY OF ANOKA <br /> <br />OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION <br /> <br />GOVERNlYlENT CENTER <br />2100 3RD AVENUE STE 700. ANOKA, MINNESOTA 55303-5024 <br />(763) 323-5700 <br /> <br />March 25, 2008 <br /> <br />MARTHA WEAVER <br />Public Information Manager <br />Direct #763-323-5744 <br />E-mail: martha.weaver@co.anoka.mn.us <br /> <br />Contact: Martha Weaver, Public Information Manager, 763-323-5744, or e-mail: <br />martha. weaver@co.anoka.mn.us <br /> <br />FOR IlVlMEDIA TE RELEASE <br /> <br />Anoka County Votes to Join Counties Transit Improvement Board <br /> <br />The Anoka County Board of Commissioners today voted to approve a joint powers agreement <br /> <br />establishing the Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB) and exercise a quarter (.0025) cent sales <br /> <br />ta-x to improve transit, effective July 1. The vote also imposes an excise ta-x of $20 per motor vehicle <br /> <br />sale by an auto dealer. <br /> <br />The transportation bill passed by the Minnesota Legislature in February gave the seven metro <br /> <br />counties the authority to establish the Metropolitan Transportation Area (MTA) and implement the <br /> <br />quarter (.0025) cent transit tax to pay for the expansion and improvement of transit projects, including <br /> <br />rail and high speed bus service. Funds are not to be used to replace regular Metro Transit service. <br /> <br />The funds will be used to pay Anoka County's share of operating costs for the Northstar <br /> <br />commuter rail line from Big Lake to Minneapolis, scheduled to open in late 2009. In addition, funds <br /> <br />could pay for the proposed Northstar stations in Fridley and Ramsey, and a second station in Coon <br /> <br />Rapids on Foley Boulevard; for Anoka County's share of the proposed Northern Lights Express, a <br /> <br />passenger rail line running through Anoka County to Duluth; and for Anoka County's share of planning, <br /> <br />environmental analysis, engineering, and property acquisition for future rail and high speed bus lines. <br /> <br />F~~; 763-323-5682 <br /> <br />-more- <br />Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer <br /> <br />TDD/TIY: 763-323-5289 -49- <br />