The City of Forest Lake is progressing with plans to establish a new public works campus, aiming to enhance municipal services and infrastructure. To finance this initiative, city officials are proposing a 0.5% local sales tax, which would require approval from both the state legislature and local voters.
In a recent workshop, the City Council directed Wold Architects to develop a schematic design for the facility, targeting a budget between $35 million and $40 million. This decision follows earlier estimates that exceeded these figures. The proposed sales tax is intended to distribute the financial burden more broadly, capturing revenue from both residents and non-residents who shop or commute through Forest Lake.
Before the sales tax can be implemented, the city must obtain special legislation from the state. If granted, the proposal will be placed on the ballot for local voter approval. City leaders emphasize that the new public works campus is essential for maintaining and improving the quality of services provided to the community.