Voters back .5 percent local option sales tax

Emily residents Tuesday supported a .5 percent local option sales tax that would be collected by the city to pay for the infrastructure of the city's wastewater treatment system.

There were 249 yes votes to 220 no votes.

Emily City Council member Kent Rees said the vote is good news for Emily. However, he said this is just the first step of the process. The city now needs legislative approval before it can collect the tax.

The local option sales tax is intended to be used to make payments toward the outstanding loan the city has for the wastewater system. Without the tax, the city would have to increase property taxes to pay for the system.

Rees said the $3.69 million sewer system serves about 135 parcels and was paid for with grants totaling $2,055,000 and with a $1.64 million rural development loan. The sales tax is expected to generate about $34,000 a year and will go toward paying back the loan.

Emily implemented a wastewater system to protect surrounding streams and lakes and to prevent groundwater contamination, Rees said.

JENNIFER STOCKINGER can be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.