Half-Cent Sales Tax Budget 2027
At a glance
Based on uploaded (human-made) captions; staff names are garbled, so staff are identified by role.
- What: the 2027 budget for the city's half-cent sales tax (STAR program), including debt service for the Roy Wilkins and arena projects.
- Where it stands: presented 2026-10-14; no vote. Proposed budget rises from $24 million to about $24.25 million.
- Next: a legislative request in the next session, including extending the tax beyond 2042.
Key points
- At least 60% must go to neighborhood and cultural STAR programs, up to 40% to RiverCentre and economic development.
- 2026 collections run about $600,000 above budget.
- A pledged $40 million 2027 revenue bond for Roy Wilkins is a conservative match for state money.
- Chair Johnson questioned counting $3.75 million of arena complex costs within the 60% neighborhood share; staff said it fits the statute.
- A roughly $600 million arena framework would need the tax extended from 2042 to about 2061.
Sources
- 2026-10-14 - Budget Committee (uploaded captions)
- https://stpaul.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Discussion time
About 12 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-14 - Budget Committee | 12 |
Log
- 2026-10-14 - Budget Committee - Treasurer and staff presented the half-cent sales tax budget; Chair Johnson questioned the 60/40 accounting for arena costs.