ST. PAUL — Ramsey County Charter commissioners say voters, not state lawmakers, should decide whether a countywide sales tax should be levied to help pay for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium in Arden Hills.

The commission went on record Wednesday night in opposition to any attempts by the state Legislature to bypass a local referendum and impose a 0.5 percent sales tax in Ramsey County for the stadium. Commissioners passed a resolution 10-3 authored by Rod Halvorson which says they “oppose any effort to circumvent the referendum process.”

Halvorson told commissioners he was concerned the Legislature would approve a plan similar to one which allowed Hennepin County commissioners to vote on a tax for the Minnesota Twins new stadium without putting the issue to a voter referendum.

Commissioners also passed a resolution that acknowledges they have no power to direct state legislation. Ramsey County is the only county in the state with its own home rule charter, similar to a constitution, which organizes the county’s powers and responsibilities.

The Vikings and Ramsey County have proposed the $1 billion stadium be built north of Minneapolis and St. Paul in Arden Hills, with costs split between the team, the county and the state of Minnesota. But the proposal currently has a $131 million funding hole.

That’s the cost estimated by the state Department of Transportation to make needed transportation improvements around the stadium site. That extra cost was identified after the $1 billion plan was released, but Gov. Mark Dayton and key lawmakers have said the state won’t spend more than the $300 million in the initial proposal.

Team officials have said they are working on a way to cover the additional $131 million. The stadium issue wasn’t settled when the Legislature adjourned two weeks ago, but supporters hope it could still come up in a special session necessary to pass a state budget.