Purpose

Allows Waseca County to raise local revenue to pay for a new judicial center project, through a local sales and use tax if voters approve it.

Key Provisions

• Tax authorization: Waseca County may impose by ordinance a sales and use tax up to 0.375% (three-eighths of 1%) for the purposes described, pending voter approval as required by law.
• Use of revenues: Revenue from the tax may be used to cover the costs of collecting and administering the tax and to finance up to $40,000,000 plus bonding costs for construction of the new judicial center.
• Bonding authority: The county may issue bonds under Chapter 475 to finance all or part of the project costs, with a total principal amount not exceeding $40,000,000 plus issuance costs. Bonds may be paid from tax revenue or other county funds and are not counted against certain debt limits. The bond issuance is not subject to some debt- and levy-related statutes, and a separate election to approve the bonds is not required.
• Relationship to other taxes: This new tax is in addition to any other local sales and use tax.
• Termination: The tax ends at the earlier of 30 years after it is first imposed or when the county determines the tax revenue is sufficient to cover project costs and bond costs (plus interest) as approved by voters. Any leftover funds after costs may be placed in the county’s general fund. The tax may end earlier if the county adopts an new ordinance.

Governance, Elections, and Legal References

• Election and approval: The tax requires voter approval under Minnesota Statutes section 297A.99 subdivision 3.
• Bond election: A separate election to approve bonds under Minnesota Statutes section 475.58 is not required.
• Legal framework: Administration and collection follow Minnesota Statutes section 297A.99; bonding follows Minnesota Statutes chapter 475; debt and levy implications follow sections 275.60, 275.61, and 475.61.

What the bill seeks to accomplish

• Provide a dedicated funding source to finance construction of a new judicial center in Waseca County.
• Enable the county to issue bonds and manage repayment using the local sales tax, while limiting long-term debt exposure and establishing a defined sunset.

Potential Impacts

• Local taxpayers would vote on whether to approve the tax.
• The county would incur new responsibilities for tax administration and bond management.
• The project-related debt would not limit other county debt under some state rules, and bond issuance would not require certain additional approvals.

Oversight and Timing

• Tax duration is capped and tied to project funding milestones.
• Final termination depends on meeting funding needs and voter-approved conditions.

Relevant Terms - Waseca County - local sales tax - sales and use tax - three-eighths of one percent (0.375%) - new judicial center - bonding costs - bonds - Chapter 475 - Minnesota Statutes section 297A.99 - subdivision 3 - issuance costs - not subject to 275.60 and 275.61 - debt limitation - levy limitation - 475.58 - 297A.99 subdivision 12 - termination 30 years - general fund - election approval - tax administration and collection