International Falls votes have approved adding a 1-percent local sales and use tax to taxable goods sold in the city limits.
Unofficial results show 1,380 yes votes to 818 no votes.
A precinct breakdown shows
- East Ward: 381 yes, 275 no
- Center Ward: 339 yes, 259 no
- West Ward: 660 yes, 284 no
The tax spreads the burden of infrastructure costs across the users of the streets, including residents who live outside the city and visitors to the area. Implementation could alleviate the need to increase the amount property taxes collected from city property owners to pay for the city's infrastructure needs.
Voter approval must also be followed by approval of implementation of the tax and its intended uses by the Minnesota Legislature.
