WAYZATA — The City of Wayzata will host two public meetings in May to gather feedback on a potential Food & Beverage Sales Tax, a tool city leaders are exploring to help fund essential local services as visitor traffic and seasonal demand continue to rise.
The events will take place in the Community Room at Wayzata City Hall. The first, geared toward business stakeholders, will be held Tuesday, May 14, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. A second session for residents is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Each session will begin with a short informational presentation, followed by discussion and a Q&A. According to a city release, the tax is being considered as a legislative priority in the future, and community feedback is encouraged as part of the process.
Wayzata has a long history as a regional destination, dating back to its steamboat and grand hotel era on Lake Minnetonka. Today, visitors from across the Twin Cities and beyond continue to enjoy the city’s dining, shopping, and lakeside amenities including Panoway—particularly during spring, summer, and fall.
While tourism benefits the local economy, it also increases demand for public services such as police, fire, infrastructure maintenance, and traffic management. City officials say a local Food & Beverage Sales Tax would help ensure that non-residents contribute to the cost of services they rely on, while reducing the funding burden on Wayzata property taxpayers.
Any sales tax proposal would require approval from the Minnesota Legislature.
For more information, contact City Manager Jeffrey Dahl at jdahl@wayzata.org or 952-404-5309, or Deputy City Manager Aurora Yager at ayager@wayzata.org or 952-404-5317.
