Just months later, Washington County may opt out of metrowide transit tax

Washington County says it wants more money from metrowide transit tax.

Last update: August 21, 2008 - 11:14 PM

Washington County might withdraw from a new metrowide effort to improve transit if the county doesn't get a better return on a quarter-cent sales tax that funds it, two commissioners wrote this week.

Under the current provisions of the Counties Transit Improvement Board, "there is not a sufficient return of resources to Washington County to justify the continued transit sales tax collection from our local businesses and their customers," Dennis Hegberg and Myra Peterson wrote to other members of CTIB.

In April, Washington County commissioners voted 3 to 2 to join Ramsey, Dakota, Hennepin and Anoka counties in implementing the tax, which began July 1.

Hegberg, who chairs the Washington County Board, said Thursday that commissioners are concerned with CTIB's definition of "transitways" and how it limits money the county would receive for transit improvements. Under the current arrangement, the county will get a return of only about $1 million a year despite generating at least $4 million a year in transit tax revenue, he said.

"The only thing that Washington County will be able to do is keep the I-35 coach bus service to Minneapolis operating for those three years after which, unless Metro Transit takes on this route, it may be discontinued resulting in a major political and transportation issue with the people and communities who have come to depend on this service," Hegberg and Peterson wrote.

Both voted in favor of the tax in April, as did Dick Stafford. Gary Kriesel and Bill Pulkrabek voted against it.

"I hope to keep my board to the table until we recognize there is little or no hope," Hegberg said Thursday.

KEVIN GILES

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