Before too long, Cook County residents will be asked to vote in a special election to decide whether the county should once again institute a 1% county sales tax. The legislation allowing the county to seek the 1% sales tax was approved this spring. It was first requested in 2006 as an extension of the 1% sales tax that had paid for capital improvements to Cook County North Shore Hospital. The Cook County board approved a countywide mail ballot for the referendum question and the process of sending out the ballots will begin on October 14.
In August 2009, the county board voted to proceed with the referendum to support seven projects, to be funded partially or in whole by the proceeds of the tax ($20,000,000 plus the cost of bonding).
The projects are outdoor recreation facilities in Grand Marais; outdoor recreation facilities at Birch Grove in Tofte; fiber optic infrastructure (broadband); Grand Marais Library improvements; community/civic center; and a biomass district energy plant.
The county board stated that all projects meet the criteria established by the legislation which calls for projects that contribute to a vibrant economy, enhance needed infrastructure, and improve quality of life by promoting recreation, culture, and health and that are located strategically to benefit all residents and include commitments to fund long-term maintenance costs.
It will now be up to voters to decide. Anyone wishing to receive an absentee ballot must do so by October 28, 2009. Ballots must be returned by 8:00 p.m. on November 3, 2009. Ballots may be mailed or delivered to the county auditor’s office.
WTIP community radio, with assistance from the Cook County News-Herald,
is offering the public the opportunity to get information and ask questions about the November 3 vote. A forum will be held from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13 at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. The forum will feature a panel of local people well versed in the referendum and its specifics.
If you would like to submit a question in advance, you may send it to the Cook
County News-Herald
at starnews@boreal. org or drop it by the News-Herald
officeat 15 First Avenue West.
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