Laurel voters reject sales tax idea

LAUREL – The May 14 primary election saw a majority of registered Laurel voters reject a local sales tax referendum that would have helped a city-owned care center if it had been approved.

The passage of the referendum would have raised the local sales tax from 1 percent to 1.5 percent, but according to the unofficial 2024 primary election results from the Cedar County Clerk’s Office, 198 voters cast ballots against it while 146 voters were in favor of it. The voter turnout for the City of Laurel, with 535 registered voters, was 63.23 percent.

Laurel Mayor Keith Knudsen previously noted that based on the last four years’ average sales in the community, the proposed .5 percent local sales tax increase would have potentially generated $88,500 annually over the next 10 years. The funds would have been utilized to provide financial support for the maintenance and daily operations of Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living.

“Of course, there is disappointment in the fact the referendum did not pass,” interim Laurel City Administrator Dan Kuhlman, who also is the city’s economic development coordinator, said in a follow-up interview. “The Hillcrest Care Center is a vital part of the community, both in quality service for the residents and economic impacts for the staff.” He noted with the referendum for a .5 percent local sales tax not being approved by Laurel voters, “the city will need to wait at least 23 months before the issue could be brought back up for consideration.”

“The focus for the Hillcrest Care Center is and always has been the continued care for the residents they serve,” Kuhlman said. “It is a true asset to the community to have specialized care for our elderly population provided right here in town. The City of Laurel and the staff at the Hillcrest Care Center are committed to providing a quality service to those in need.”