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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
<br /> Anoka County, Minnesota
<br />
<br />DATE: June 11, 1991 RESOLUTION #91.73
<br />OFFERED BY COMMISSIONER: Erharl
<br />
<br />RELATING TO THE IMPOSITION OF
<br />A SALES TAX IN ANOKA COUNTY
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the Legislature and the Governor of the State of Minnesota have restructured the
<br />system of State aids to counties, cities and towns, which system has provided funding for essential
<br />services delivered by local governments; and,
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the Legislature and the Governor of the State of Minnesota have authorized
<br />counties for the benefit of counties, cities and towns to enact a sales tax pursuant to Laws of
<br />Minnesota, 1991, Chapter 291, to partially replace the current funding system of such State aids
<br />which have been eliminated; and,
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the results of not enacting the sales tax would be that citizens may see a
<br />substantial property tax increase and/or significant reduction in services; and,
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the rapidly growing population of Anoka County increased 58% in the pa~t 20
<br />years and has resulted Jn a greater demand for services delivered by the County, cities and towns;
<br />and,
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, each of the local governments in Anoka County derives a substantial portion of
<br />its revenues for operations from State-paid local government aids and credits; and,
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the 1991 Legislature has acted to impose a 1/2~ increase'in the State sales tax
<br />effective July 1, 1991, in order to generate funds to provide aid to local governments through the
<br />newly established Local Government Trust Fund; and,
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the 1991 Legislature has acted to dedicate 2~ of the 6~/~ sales tax to a local
<br />government trust fund; and,
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, each county board must act by July 1, 1991, to continue the additional ~ ~ sales
<br />tax on purchases within its boundary beyond December 31, 1991; and,
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the municipalities and County will be seriously impaired in their ability to ~eliver
<br />essential services without the receipt of necessary State aids derived from the imposition of a sales
<br />tax; and,
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, lacking the sales tax, Anoka County residents and businesses w,~l suffer the
<br />closing of several branch libraries and swimming beaches; the elimination of certain serwces to the
<br />elderly, retarded and handicapped; the reduction of highway snow removal, sanding anc~ roaO repair;
<br />the removal of supervision of 4,000 domestic abuse and misdemeanor offenders; the de~t~o~ of
<br />numerous other essential programs; and the loss of over $17 million of State aids fo~ sec,~ces
<br />delivered by cities, townships and other local jurisdictions within Anoka County; and,
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the cities and towns representing a majority of the population of Anoka County
<br />are authorized to enact a sales tax without the approval of Anoka County; and,
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the Legislature and the Governor of the-State of Minnesota have requ,reci that a
<br />portion of the revenue from the sales tax which is to fund local government services is to be used
<br />for human service programs of the State of Minnesota; and,
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota reserves for itself control of the distribution of the sales
<br />tax and the income tax and the determination of levy limits and increasing programmatic
<br />requirements; and,
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the Anoka County Board of Commissioners believes that the County. the cities
<br />and the towns have an objective to provide Anoka County residents with necessary services at the
<br />least cost possib!e; and,
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the Anoka County Board of Commissioners believes that the enactment of a sales
<br />tax will be a lesser tax burden for the residents of Anoka County than an increase in property taxes
<br />to replace the loss of State financial aids; and,
<br />
<br />
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