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<br />Commission Minutes-February 19, 2008 3323 <br /> <br />All proceeds will go to the HOPE foundation, a non-profit organization that provides <br />educational and recreational opportunities for children with mobility challenges. <br /> <br />Mr. Bennett complimented Mr. Lende and his peers for their work on the youth commission. <br /> <br />7. RESOLUTION #2008-4, Economic development sales tax <br />Mr. Wagner provided some background on this item. He said last year the commission <br />adopted a growth plan developed by the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development <br />Corporation (GFMEDC), and also appointed a subcommittee to draft a resolution and ballot <br />language for a half-cent sales tax for economic development. He said the resolution <br />includes three key components: the process of approving a project; distribution of the <br />funds; and use of the funds. <br /> <br />Brian Walters, President of the GFMEDC, as well as several members of the executive <br />board were present. Mr. Walters provided a presentation on the growth plan components <br />and resolution goals. He said letters in support of the resolution were submitted to the <br />commission from the GFMEDC executive board and the Growth Initiative Fund (GIF) board. <br />He discussed governance and accountability regarding the sales tax funds and said three <br />public hearings would be held before funds are approved and expended. He said the <br />county will serve as the custodian of all sales tax collections. He outlined the <br />responsibilities of the GFMEDC, GIF, and Cass County Commission. <br /> <br />Mr. Wagner thanked Mr. Walters and everyone else involved for their efforts toward this <br />project. <br />MOTION, passed <br />Mrs. Sorum moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to adopt Resolution #2008-4, <br />Regarding Sales Tax for Economic Development. Discussion: Mr. Wagner <br />asked the county auditor about the next step in the process and the <br />timeline involved after the resolution is adopted. Mr. Montplaisir said the <br />commission may modify the ballot language up until their first meeting in <br />April. The filing deadline is April 11th to place the question on the primary <br />election ballot. An ordinance will be drafted and the first reading will be <br />held before the election and the second reading and adoption will be held <br />after the June 10th election, if the voters approve the measure. If the sales <br />tax is approved, it will go into effect on October 1, 2008. On roll call vote, <br />the motion carried unanimously. <br /> <br />RESOLUTION #2008-4 <br />REGARDING SALES TAX FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT <br /> <br />WHEREAS, The Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation ("EDC") has <br />proposed that the Cass County Board of Commissioners permit a vote by the Cass County <br />Electorate on whether a temporary % cent sales tax should be imposed to fund and enable <br />the Economic Development Growth Plan, which may be amended from time to time and is <br />attached as Exhibit A, (the "Growth Plan"); and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the Cass County Board of Commissioners has supported and continues to <br />support economic development efforts by the EDC for the purpose of promoting a growing <br />and vibrant economy in Cass County; and <br />