December 10, 2002: Spec. Town mtg Minutes
The December 10, 2002 Special Town Meeting was called to order by Chairman Ruth Carlson at 7:00PM, at the Crane Lake Fellowship Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: Supervisors Ruth L. Carlson, Mark Anderson and Terrie Hoff, Treasurer Jacque Eggen, Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, a reporter from the Cook News-Herald, and 6 members of the community.
NEW BUSINESS:
Chairman Ruth Carlson explained the purpose of the meeting, that being to vote on the Town of Crane Lake collecting and administering the Crane Lake Lodging Tax.
A history of the lodging tax was presented:
In 1991 the citizens of Crane Lake, by petition, agreed to adopt a 3% lodging tax to be collected by all area lodging operators. The monies collected were to be used for the promotion of tourism in the Crane Lake area. Because Crane Lake was not an organized town, the monies had to be collected and administered through a Joint Powers Agreement between St. Louis County, the City of Orr and two other unorganized territories (Ash River and Kabetogama). Through this Joint Powers agreement, 5% of all the money collected has been kept by the City of Orr to compensate for its administrative duties.
By the proposed ordinance the Town of Crane Lake would become the 3% local lodging tax administrator and 5% of the money collected in the future would be paid to the Town of Crane Lake.
Chairman Ruth than asked if there were any questions. There were none.
A motion was made by Ruth, supported by Terrie that the Lodging Tax be collected and administered by the Town of Crane Lake.
The public voted by a show of hands. The results of the vote: 11 yes, 0 no. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Butch Eggen, supported by Mark Anderson to adjourn the meeting at 7:10PM. Motion carried.
Jo Ann Pohlman, Clerk Ruth Carlson, Chairman
