DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Scheduling Of Public Hearing To Receive Comments On Eligible Projects For County Transportation Sales And Use Tax Funds
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Schedule a public hearing pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 297A.993 to receive comments on the proposed list of eligible projects for County Transportation Sales and Use Tax funds.
SUMMARY
To provide a safe and efficient multi-modal transportation system, Dakota County identifies priority transportation projects needed to improve safety and mobility. The Transportation Sales and Use Tax, authorized by Minn. Stat. § 297A.993 (The Act), enables counties to levy up to one-half of one percent sales and use tax and an excise tax of $20 per motor vehicle to fund statutorily defined transportation and transit projects (Attachment: Stat. § 297A.993). The transportation or transit projects or improvements must be designated by the County Board following a public hearing.
Except for taxes for operating costs of a transit project or improvement, or for transit operations, the taxes must terminate when revenues raised are sufficient to finance the project. The Act allows the taxes to be used on more than one project or improvement. The County Board may dedicate the proceeds of the Transportation Sales and Use Tax to a new project by resolution after a public hearing.
Dakota County enacted a quarter-cent sales tax and $20 excise tax on new vehicle sales starting October 1, 2017, by Resolution No.17-364 (June 20, 2017). The funds generated by the Transportation Sales and Use Tax have been identified to be used for a list of transportation projects, including transit, regional County highways, regional trails, and trunk highways. The County proposes updating the list of projects eligible for Transportation Sales and Use Tax funds to represent projected future transportation system needs identified in the 2040 Transportation Plan.
The proposed revisions generally include:
• Eliminating projects that have since been completed;
• Updating total project cost estimates and descriptions where new information is available;
• Adding highway and regional trail projects that were identified as needs in development of the Draft 2025-2029 County Manager’s Recommended Budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
The public hearing will be advertised in the Dakota County Tribune for at least 10 days prior to the hearing. The proposed list of projects (Attachment: Draft Project List) will be posted on the Dakota County website for review.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that the County Board schedule a public hearing at their meeting on December 3, 2024, at 9:00 AM to receive comments and adopt an updated list of eligible projects for County Transportation Sales and Use Tax Funds.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. § 297A.993 (the Act) authorizes the Dakota County Board to levy up to one-half of one percent sales and use tax and an excise tax of $20 per motor vehicle to fund statutorily defined transportation and transit projects; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 17-364 (June 20, 2017), the Dakota County Board enacted a quarter-cent sales tax and $20 excise tax on new vehicle sales starting October 1, 2017, to fund identified transit, regional County highway, trail, and trunk highway transportation projects; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County has identified a proposed updated list of transportation projects eligible for Transportation Sales and Use Tax funds consistent with the needs identified in the Draft 2040 Transportation Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Act allows the County Board to dedicate the proceeds of the Transportation Sales and Use Tax to a new enumerated project by resolution after a public hearing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby schedules a public hearing for December 3, 2024, at 9:00 AM in the Boardroom, Dakota County Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, Minnesota, for the purpose of receiving comments on an updated list of eligible projects for County Transportation Sales and Use Tax Funds.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
17-364; 6/20/17
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Minn. Stat. § 297A.993
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Laberee
Author: Gina Mitteco