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County officials say Northstar extension uncertain as legislature alters regional transit sales tax allocation
Summary
Sherburne County staff told commissioners the future of Northstar service and regional transit funding is uncertain after the Met Council signaled a reconsideration of extensions and the state legislature altered a sales‑tax allocation used for county road and bridge projects.
County administration told commissioners that the status of Northstar commuter rail and local bus connections is unsettled while the Met Council and other regional entities reconsider service plans.
Staff reported that Metrobus (St. Cloud) told the county it lacks drivers, buses and financial resources to continue service as previously provided to Big Lake, and that Elk River and Big Lake could be left without that service in January of next year unless alternative arrangements are made. Late in the reporting period, county staff said, the Met Council told local officials it was “reconsidering” how far to extend Northstar service; staff said details of the reconsideration were not yet known.
Administrators also told the board that the state legislature changed the regional transit sales tax allocation formula without prior notice to the seven metro counties. County staff said the allocation of regional sales tax revenue that counties had used for road and bridge needs was cut from 17% of revenue to 8.5%, reducing a funding stream that many counties counted on for local projects. Staff warned that the funding change adds uncertainty to county road and bridge planning and to transit‑related projects previously relying on regional tax proceeds.
County staff said they will continue to track the Met Council discussion and state legislative developments and report back to the board as details emerge.
