The city of Bemidji is planning some big asks for this session in the Minnesota legislature.
During the meeting last night, they met with Bradley Peterson, who represents the law firm Flaherty and Hood. Peterson and the council discussed the differences between a local option sales tax and a food and beverage tax.
The council will need to pass a specific resolution and submit it to the state by the 31st of this month in order to request a sales tax this session.
The council is considering various options, and staff will present those options before the end of the week.
Sales taxes can only be used for capital, or physical structures, so the council is exploring how to fund the needed expansion at the wastewater treatment facility, capital needs at the Sanford Center, and the construction of a new water treatment plant.
The council also plans to request $8 million in state bonds for the water treatment plant, which could cost up to $16 million.
