By Rich Larson, KYMN News
Northfield City Councilor Chad Beumer is offering strong support to the city’s effort to pursue a local option sales tax—now being referred to internally as the “local sales tax,” or LST—to help fund major public improvement projects.
The city intends to ask the Minnesota Legislature for permission to place the tax before voters in November. If approved, it would generate an estimated $11 million over 20 years, with roughly 40% of the revenue coming from visitors and non‑residents, according to a University of Minnesota study.
That regional participation, Beumer said, is what makes the LST such an appealing funding tool, he said, noting that out‑of‑town shoppers, college students, visiting families, and event attendees would all contribute. Having someone else pay for 40% of a city project clearly interests him.
“It’s like getting these things done on sale. Say your furnace goes out and you call subcontractor A, and then you call subcontractor B and you get your pricing for it, and you’re comparing apples to apples and everything’s identical, but subcontractor B’s at a 40% discount from subcontractor A. Well, it’s a no-brainer.”
Under state law, LST projects must have regional significance. In their application to the state, the city has listed long‑discussed upgrades to the Northfield Community Resource Center (NCRC), major repairs or replacement of the Northfield Public Library building—whose hillside foundation is increasingly exposed by erosion—and improvements along the Riverwalk, including parks, stairs, and public restrooms.
For Beumer, two projects clearly stand out, saying that the core community facilities should take precedence.
“To me, the library and the NCRC are probably the two most important things that we need to do. And there are much needed things that need to happen around the Riverwalk, the crumbling stairs and some of the parks need some updates and restrooms over at the Lions Park Pavilion, those kinds of things.”
He also addressed concerns about the regressive nature of sales taxes. While acknowledging the argument, Beumer said essential goods—such as groceries and clothing—are exempt, and that people across all income levels participate in sales tax revenue through discretionary purchases like dining out and prepared foods.
Most importantly, he emphasized, the public will decide.
“We hear people say they want to vote on it—well, you do get to vote on it,” he said. “If the Legislature approves it, the referendum will be on the ballot in November.”
Beumer said the council chose projects that are clearly needed and already part of long‑term capital planning. For him, the LST is simply a smart way to pay for improvements the city cannot avoid.
“It’s a great option,” he said. “And it’s the right idea at the right time.”
