By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
NORTON — City of Norton voters will decide this November whether to approve a half-cent sales tax that Norton City Administrator Dallas Gosselin says will help fund long-term street and infrastructure improvements without placing additional pressure on property taxpayers.
According to Gosselin, the proposed sales tax would remain in place for 10 years and stems from concerns residents have voiced about the condition of city infrastructure.
"Ultimately, what our constituents have been voicing is an increase in our infrastructure repair and replacement," Gosselin said.
Gosselin said city leaders considered how to fund those improvements while limiting reliance on property taxes.
He said local governments face challenges as property tax exemptions approved at the state level continue to reduce available revenue sources. Gosselin also said the well in Norton County for property tax owners has been “tapped dry."
"Ultimately we have to look at another route rather than property tax to fund the dreams and goals of the city and its constituents,” Gosselin said.
“That's why we're putting forth this sales tax. We believe that in order to not have a direct impact on our property owners in town and to try and hold the line on property tax increases, that the sales taxes are going to be our best bet.”
The upcoming vote marks the city's second attempt to gain voter approval for a sales tax dedicated to infrastructure. A previous proposal introduced by city leadership in 2024 did not pass after voters instead approved a separate sales tax initiative supporting local health care services.
Gosselin also said city officials listened closely to community feedback following a property tax increase last year that was unpopular with many residents.
"We're taking advice from the community and crafting our plan in accordance with what they want,” Gosselin said. “But also in accordance with what's feasible.”
City officials have also been conducting public meetings to gather input from residents. Gosselin said feedback received during a recent town hall meeting has already led to adjustments in the proposal.
"We want constituents to feel like they have a voice to help craft the plan," he said.
If voters approve the measure in November, the city would begin working with bond counsel and public finance specialists to develop the funding structure needed to move forward with equipment purchases and future infrastructure work.
Gosselin said equipment acquisition could begin as early as mid-2027, but residents should expect larger-scale street improvement efforts to ramp up in 2028.
"We don't want to overcommit our timeline and then underperform," Gosselin said. "Ideally, we would start in late spring or summer of 2028."
Looking beyond the 10-year sales tax period, Gosselin said the city's goal is to create a sustainable funding model that allows future leaders to continue maintaining and improving infrastructure without constantly searching for new revenue sources.
Gosselin said success would mean establishing long-term plans that extend well beyond the life of the tax.
"Success looks like the ability to solve local problems with local solutions," Gosselin said.
According to the Norton City Clerk, Norton’s current local sales tax rate is 1.25%, with the combined city, county and state sales tax rate totaling 9.5%.