This is a guest post written by Douglas C. Carpenter.
In my conversation with residents about the new library proposal, the most common question I receive is “Does the sales tax have an end date?”
My answer is yes, the proposed Home Rule Charter amendment has a specific date by which the tax terminates. Actually, it can terminate earlier than the September 30, 2014, sunset date. The specific language on the ballot has the new 1-cent sales tax, if approved by voters, starting on October 1, 2011, and terminating on September 30, 2014, or at such time as it is reasonably expected that the sum of $20.8 million in such sales tax proceeds will be remitted, whichever occurs first. In other words, the tax must stop on September 30, 2014, or once $20.8 million is collected if earlier than September 30, 2014.
Currently the city collects approximately $8.4 million per year for a 1-cent sales tax, which means the new 1-cent tax should end on March 31, 2014. This means the new 1-cent tax should be in effect for only a short 30-month time period, but in no manner can it continue past September 30, 2014. A new library for the 21st century is critical to the future of Grand Forks and a new 1-cent sales tax is the best way to pay for it.
I strongly encourage you to vote YES on May 3rd.
speak up for your library 