Bill > SF4682

This bill authorizes the city of Blaine to impose special taxes within a specific geographic area known as the 105th Redevelopment Area, overriding existing state laws that might otherwise prevent this. Specifically, Blaine can enact ordinances to levy taxes of up to three percent on restaurant food and beverage sales, up to three percent on lodging provided by hotels or motels with more than 50 rooms, and up to three percent on admissions to entertainment venues or the use of amusement devices within this designated area. The revenue generated from these taxes must be used solely for financing capital improvements within the 105th Redevelopment Area, including paying for bonds issued for these projects, acquiring, constructing, or maintaining facilities, and establishing reasonable reserves. The city is also empowered to issue bonds to finance these development and construction projects, and these bonds will not count towards the city's debt limits. The state's commissioner of revenue and the city can agree on a system for collecting these taxes, which will follow the same rules for interest, penalties, and enforcement as other state sales taxes. These special taxes are authorized to remain in effect until at least January 1, 2055.