LOCAL SALES TAX RENEWAL
Feature
Street Reconstruction Street reconstruction plays a key role in ensuring safe access to businesses and homes throughout Rochester while enhancing the quality of life for the community, visitors, and those who commute to Rochester.
“Renewal of the local sales tax will help continue to ensure that we have the proven tools we need to continue to grow, expand, and diversify our economic base. The extension of the sales tax will revolutionize
How are the roads prioritized? The Public Works team has been evaluating potential street projects that would likely be pursued with the renewal of half-percent local sales tax. The following criteria are what the Public Works team will use to prioritize street improvements under this program: • Pavement age and condition • Coordination with public utility needs • Distribution across the community • Public improvement in proximity to planned development • Public improvements connected with projects not eligible for Sales Tax If not renewed how will the street reconstruction be funded? If the sales tax is not renewed, more street reconstruction will need to be deferred due to limited funding, meaning that miles of city streets in poor or fair condition won’t be addressed in the near future. Assessments,
property tax increases, and other fees are local funding options that also would be considered to support this work. While the city would likely pursue federal and state funding, the process would be lengthy and likely wouldn’t provide the level of investment the City needs over the next 20 years. Can federal funds pay for the street reconstruction? Almost a quarter of all city streets are currently in fair and poor condition. While federal funding might address some needs in the years ahead, funding is based on each roadway’s functional classification and may not apply to all city roadways in need of repair. Additionally, the funds currently available to the Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) planning area are shared across the City, Olmsted County, and the smaller cities in the area. Generally speaking, approximately 80% of the road miles in Rochester are not strong candidates for state or federal funding.
our economic landscape and to not reinvest would be to turn our backs on Rochester's catalyst for growth”
- John Wade, President of Rochester Area Economic Development Inc. (RAEDI)
6 | ROCHESTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVANTAGE MAGAZINE — SEPTEMBER 2023
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