On February 16, 2016, the Board of County Commissioners approved  moving forward to gather information for a proposal to levy a penny infrastructure sales tax in a partnership with the school board and cultural council. Data was shown at the meeting that combining  efforts result in better success, rather  than the cities and county doing a half penny and competing on the same ballot with the school district. The original proposal discussed was for the half penny but by adding the partners and getting a full cent the county hopes to be successful and net the cities the same amount as if the cities and county did it alone. However, this may change by up to 2 percent. The county requested a project list based on an estimated amount each municipality will be receiving so it can be vetted by voters. I have attached a spread sheet prepared which includes examples of some municipalities refined project lists. The spread sheet also includes the proposed amount your city will receive yearly and the total for a 10 year referendum on the summary page.    Since the referendum proposal includes other parties, an agreement between the county and the cities comprising  a majority of the population of the cities must be negotiated. At the joint meeting held May 10, 2016 between the County Commission and the School Board, both sides approved moving forward with a NEW ILA (attached). The new agreement must be passed by June 10th.  It includes two new provisions: an automatic termination clause if certain events happen (such as the cities not obtaining the 51% municipal population needed to move forward with the ILA on or before June 10th);  and the surtax can sunset early if the surtax proceeds equal or exceed $2.7 billion.

At the joint meeting held today between the County Commission and the School Board, both sides approved moving forward with a NEW ILA (attached). The new agreement must be passed by June 10th.  It includes two new provisions: an automatic termination clause if certain events happen (such as the cities not obtaining the 51% municipal population needed to move forward with the ILA on or before June 10th);  and the surtax can sunset early if the surtax proceeds equal or exceed $2.7 billion.