Waite Park City Council Passes THC Ordinance, 2023 Budget

(KNSI) – The Waite Park City Council gave final approval to two of the biggest items on its fall agenda Monday.

It became the first area municipality to pass THC regulations, paving the way for licensing to start in early 2023. Administrator Shaunna Johnson says Waite Park sidestepping the most controversial parts of St. Cloud’s proposed ordinances.

“So we don’t have the same buffer zones that are established — that St Cloud put into effect. I think we were more focused on how to regulate the sale of that kind of stuff and making sure that they had the right parameters and provisions in place.”

Stores must be licensed and there are restrictions on packaging that could appeal to children. Self-service kiosks are prohibited and all THC products must be secured behind the counter. City staff are working on the licensing application forms now.

Also approved Monday was the 2023 budget. Spending increases will be less than many other area proposals. Johnson has the financial details.

“The General Fund budget is about a 5% increase over last year. We are going to see an increase in our [property] valuations of about 9%. And so the overall impact that this is going to probably have on our levy will be right now proposed for about a 3% to 4% increase in the overall levy.”

The city is also making its case for a new half-cent sales tax. Johnson says the resident population is under 9,000 but entertainment and businesses bring 30,000 people to Waite Park each day. She says a sales tax is more equitable than property taxes to help out with a new public safety building and trail improvements.

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