Stearns County Wants Sales Tax Option to Build New Jail
ST. CLOUD (WJON News) -- Stearns County commissioners have approved a resolution asking the state legislature to authorize the county to adopt a local option sales tax to fund a new jail and Justice Center.
If lawmakers approve the request, voters would need to approve the measure before it would go into effect.
Stearns County is asking for a 0.375% sales tax, or in other words, a 3/8 of a cent sales tax.
The new Justice Center would house a new jail, sheriff's office, and court facilities. It's estimated to cost between $260-million and $310-million.
The sales tax is estimated to generate approximately $14-million a year and would cover the annual debt service payments on a 30-year bond.
If the tax is enacted, the county says there would be no impact on the county's annual levy or property taxes.
LOOK: States With the Most New Small Businesses Per Capita
KEEP READING: 10 classic board games that will take you way back
LOOK: See Photos of the Year From the International Photography Awards
More From 96.7 The River
