Local Sales & Use Tax

Residents and businesses may owe a local use tax on purchases made outside of Blue Earth city limits.  Local use tax applies when you buy items or services for use, storage, distribution or consumption in the local area without paying local sales tax to the seller.  Use tax is similar to the sales tax and the rates are identical.  It is based on your cost of taxable purchases.  Common examples of when use tax is due are when (1) you buy items outside the local area and the seller doesn’t charge local sales tax, and you use or store the item in the local area, or (2) you buy a taxable item from an out-of-state seller who does not charge local sales tax.  If you believe you may owe a local use tax, you may contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax Division at 651-296-6181 or 800-657-3777 or go to www.revenue.state.mn.us for information and forms necessary for calculating and paying the tax.  The Department of Revenue provides a link to Fact Sheets 146, Use Tax for Businesses, and 156, Use Tax for Individuals, for more information about use taxes.

Certificate of Approval of Special Law by Governing Body and City of Blue Earth Resolution 19-07

2018 SALES TAX REFERENDUM

History
Sales Tax Legislation approved by the Legislature in 2019.

COMPLETED PROJECTS

Leland Parkway
           County State Aid Highway 16 reconstruction project.  

Wastewater Plant Reconstruction
           Completed 2019

SALES TAX EXPENDITURES

Projects will be completed to the extent that projects presented to the citizens were acted on.  Primary differences in what was envisioned at the time the Sales Tax was enacted include a decision the Council made with a focus on street reconstruction.  This in turn frees up more general fund revenue for Parks and Recreation. 

2023 City Council Meeting Schedule

Unless otherwise announced, all city council meetings take place at Blue Earth City Hall, located at 125 W 6th St. Meetings are called to order at 5:00 P.M. and adjourn when the agenda has been completed. The 2023 meeting schedule is as follows:

Access to Government Data & Public Information

To look at data or request copies of data that the City of Blue Earth keeps, please make a written request to the City Administrator. You may make your written request for data by mail or email, but you must use the Data Request Form provided by the City of Blue Earth.

Volunteer for City Boards & Commissions

Several opportunities arise every year for citizens to join different boards and commissions. Serving in these positions gives our residents a chance to participate in the management of the City. Boards and commissions serve to manage different sectors of municipal government and to make policy and budgetary recommendations to the City Council.

• Airport Advisory Commission
• Administrative Penalty Review Board
• Board of Building Appeals
• Board of Public Works
• Board of Zoning Adjustments and Appeals
• Charter Commission
• Economic Development Authority
• Faribault County Fitness Center Board
• Housing and Redevelopment Authority
• Joint Airport Zoning Board
• Joint Fire Service Advisory Board
• Joint Planning Board – Blue Earth City Township
• Joint Planning Board – Jo Daviess Township
• Library Board
• Parks and Recreation Subcommittee
• Planning Commission
• Senior Center Board
• Street Improvement Subcommittee