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Commissioners say ordinance would be required to impose gross-receipts tax; no immediate action taken
Summary
Staff told the commission that adopting an ordinance would be required to impose the local gross-receipts tax and that citizens could initiate an ordinance; the commission declined to adopt an ordinance at the meeting.
Commission staff told the Brookings County commissioners that if the board wants to impose the local gross-receipts tax described in SB 96, the commission would need to draft and adopt a county ordinance. Commission Department Director Stacy Steffensen advised the board that no board action would leave the status quo in place and that county residents also have the option to initiate an ordinance by petition to refer the measure to a vote.
Commissioners used that procedural explanation when discussing next steps. Several members, including Chairperson Shawn Hostler and Commissioners Kelly VanderWal and Dave Miller, said they wanted to wait and see the experience of other counties. Commissioner Larry Jensen said he would like to see the measure go to the people for a vote; Commissioner Doug Post said he opposed immediate action because of concerns about impacts on young people, students and fixed-income residents. The board did not draft or adopt an ordinance at the June 22 special meeting.
Procedural votes at the meeting were limited to routine business: a motion to approve the meeting agenda passed unanimously, and a motion to adjourn at 6:48 p.m. also carried unanimously.
