SF 4748

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/24/2026 11:03 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to taxation; local sales and use; authorizing the city of Northfield to impose
a local sales and use tax.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin CITY OF NORTHFIELD; TAXES AUTHORIZED.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Sales and use tax authorization. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 477A.016, or any other law, ordinance, or city charter, and if approved by the voters
at an election as required under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.99, subdivision 3, the
city of Northfield may impose by ordinance a sales and use tax of up to one-half of one
percent for the purposes specified in subdivision 2. Except as otherwise provided in this
section, the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.99, govern the imposition,
administration, collection, and enforcement of the tax authorized under this subdivision.
The tax authorized under this subdivision is in addition to any local sales and use tax imposed
under any other special law.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Use of sales and use tax revenues. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding section 297A.99,
subdivision 2, paragraph (d), the revenues derived from the tax authorized under subdivision
1 must be used by the city of Northfield to pay for the following projects in the city, including
the costs of collecting and administering the tax and to pay or finance the costs of the
following projects, plus costs of issuance and debt service on associated bonds:
new text end

new text begin (1) $2,800,000 for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and betterment of the Northfield Public
Library;
new text end

new text begin (2) $2,800,000 for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and betterment of the Northfield
Community Resource Center; and
new text end

new text begin (3) $7,500,000 for the acquisition and betterment of interconnected city Riverfront Parks.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Bonding authority. new text end

new text begin (a) The city of Northfield may issue bonds under Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 475, to finance all or a portion of the costs of the projects authorized in
subdivision 2 and approved by voters as required under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.99,
subdivision 3, paragraph (a). The aggregate principal amount of bonds issued under this
subdivision may not exceed $13,100,000, plus an amount applied to the payment of the
costs of issuing the bonds. The bonds may be issued as general obligations of the city and
may be paid from or secured by any money available to the city, including the tax authorized
under subdivision 1. The issuance of bonds under this subdivision is not subject to Minnesota
Statutes, sections 275.60 and 275.61.
new text end

new text begin (b) The bonds are not included in computing any debt limitation applicable to the city.
Any levy of taxes under Minnesota Statutes, section 475.61, to pay principal of and interest
on the bonds is not subject to any levy limitation. A separate election to approve the bonds
under Minnesota Statutes, section 475.58, is not required.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Termination of taxes. new text end

new text begin Subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.99,
subdivision 12, the tax authorized under subdivision 1 expires at the earlier of (1) 20 years
after the tax is first imposed, or (2) when the city council determines that the amount received
from the tax is sufficient to pay for the project costs authorized under subdivision 2 for
projects approved by voters as required under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.99,
subdivision 3, paragraph (a), plus an amount sufficient to pay the costs related to issuance
of any bonds authorized under subdivision 3, including interest on the bonds. Except as
otherwise provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.99, subdivision 3, paragraph (f),
any money remaining after payment of the allowed costs due to the timing of the termination
of the tax under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.99, subdivision 12, must be placed in the
general fund of the city. The tax authorized under subdivision 1 may expire at an earlier
time if the city so determines by ordinance.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day after the governing body of the
city of Northfield and its chief clerical officer comply with Minnesota Statutes, section
645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.
new text end