It’s official: County’s tax rate up 0.5 percent

Steele County businesses now are required to collect a new sales-and-use tax.
The 10-year, 0.5 percent Steele County tax took effect April 1. It’s in addition to the 6.875 percent state sales tax and is aimed at funding road improvements.
The county resolution states the tax has been created partly because “funding for highway systems in Minnesota has remained stagnant and is failing to keep pace with the demands of a growing population or to provide the resources necessary to maintain … that system and preserve the investment.”
It adds that that investment in transportation is worth more than $95.6 million, representing 64 percent of the county’s total assets.
Some residents have been caught by surprise by slightly higher prices, but not at Dairy Queen. Multiple signs advise residents about the increase.
Manager Nick Schiefert said he wanted to make sure his customers were informed.
 “I got a little feedback yesterday, when it was April Fool’s Day,” he said April 2. “Several people thought it wasn’t real.”
He added that the small price increase hasn’t bothered customers much.
“It’s not that big a deal to most people,” he said.
For more information about the tax, go to bit.ly/1BUE0XQ.